NAACP rally on Capitol Hill demands equality and justice for blacks

Hundreds of civil rights activists have assembled at the Upper Senate Park on Capitol Hill to hold a rally demanding justice for African Americans in the United States.

On Wednesday, protesters held banners demanding equal rights for black people, and listened to speeches from leaders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

The rally celebrated the end of an 860-mile (1,384 Km) walk from Selma, Alabama, to Washington DC, dubbed “America's Journey for Justice,” which was organized by the NAACP organization.

The rally at the park will be followed by an advocacy day in congressional offices, to push for equal voting rights, a fair criminal justice system, sustainable jobs with a living wage and equitable public education.

"We are here to come to Washington because this is where decisions are made, this is where the laws are passed, this is where the challenges are addressed," Hilary Shelton, director of the NAACP Washington Bureau, said.

"We move through the country and we learn better what the problems are. We have found out how people being disenfranchised and can't vote. We found out how those are being attacked by police officers, that need retraining and new policy. We know that our children need an opportunity to get a high quality education so they have real opportunity in life," she added.

Cornell William Brooks, president and CEO of NAACP, said the march was an effort to “complete America's journey for justice."

"We are profoundly honored and humbled to be here. We have to take this moment to lift up and acknowledge and express appreciation for an extraordinary group of citizens,” he stated.

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