Lewis, King children see a dream come true

DENVER — When John Lewis spoke Thursday, the Invesco Field crowd listened.

As the civil rights icon and Atlanta congressman took the podium to mark the 45th anniversary of the March on Washington, many of the crowd of thousands here for the Democratic National Convention chattered and paid little attention.

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Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/MCT

The Rev. Bernice King, MLK’s daughter, proclaimed Thursday as ‘one of our nation’s greatest defining moments.’

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Brian Baer/Sacramento Bee/MCT

Rep. John Lewis introduced a video honoring King and the civil rights movement.

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But about two minutes into his speech, when Lewis reminded the crowd that he was the last surviving person who spoke on that day in 1963, the crowd fell silent.

By the time he reached a crescendo in his speech, the crowd rose with him, many to their feet and cheered.

“For those of us who stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, or who in the years that followed may have lost hope, this moment is a testament to the power and vision of Martin Luther King Jr.,” Lewis said. “It is a testament to the ability of a committed and determined people to make a difference in our society. It is a testament to the promise of America.”

Lewis then introduced a video honoring King and the civil rights movement. At its conclusion, the Rev. Bernice King, MLK’s daughter, proclaimed Thursday as “one of our nation’s greatest defining moments.”

Her brother, Martin Luther King III, spoke next and promised that “we’re all children of the dream, and he is in all our hearts and minds. But not only that, he is in the hopes and dreams, the competence and courage, the rightness and readiness of Barack Obama.”