The United Christian Leadership Ministry of Western New York commemorated the 57th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

Dozens sang "Lift Every Voice and Sing" to pay tribute to the march that eventually paved the way for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965.

It was a significant moment in Reverend Lewis Stewart's life because he was there.

As he looks back on what happened 57 years ago, it reminds of him of what he is fighting for today.

"Working with other groups to try to bring about change in transformation in the county and the city of Rochester, trying to push for police reform, trying to push criminal just reform, civil rights, and all of those lofty issues which are still near and dear to our hearts especially in the context of black men and women," he said.  

Ira McKinley came from Albany to commemorate the anniversary. He says he is a documentary filmmaker who uses film to highlight the social injustices that exists today.

McKinley said his father was shot by in officer in 2979 and he was “beat up like Rodney King in ’89.”

“…So, I always knew these things were happening…It’s just now everybody is seeing it,” he said.

Rev. Stewart explained honoring the 57th anniversary means recognizing the importance of voting and come up with a plan to go forward.

"We want to make sure they understand the sacrifices that the people made in the civil rights movement at that time and their commitment and we need to be able to make that commitment and those sacrifices today," Rev. Stewart said.