15 june 1968 & puerto ricans hold rally for poor people's campaign

#OTD 15 June 1968 Puerto Ricans from DC and throughout the U.S held a rally in support of the Poor People’s Campaign at the Sylvan Theater near the Washington Monument. More than 4,000 people attended. More than 100 buses brought individuals and groups from Chicago, Cleveland, New York, Philadelphia and more to join Washingtonians for a celebration with music and dancing, and to organize.

Some of the signs stated:

”Black is Beautiful and Tan is Marvelous”
“Puerto Rican Youth Power”.
"End Racial Prejudice"
"Help Us to Combat Poverty"
"Justice for Poor & Rich"

Gilberto Valentin, one of the co-leaders of the rally and an activist in New York, stated that he and fellow activists would organize a mass uprising and one-day work boycott if Congress didn’t meet their demands.

Your comments are welcome below. Did you, a family member or neighbor help to organize the rally? Did you attend? Do you remember reading about it in the newspaper or watching it on tv? Did you know Gilberto Valentin? You may comment privately here.

Photo source: Courtesy of DC Public Library Special Collections. Photographer unknown.

"Puerto Ricans Hold a Rally on National Mall," Evening Star 16 June 1968.