Celebs, Politicians "Let Freedom Ring" at the Lincoln Memorial

Obama, Bill Clinton, John Lewis and more speak.

Let Freedom Ring Ceremony - The Let Freedom Ring Commemoration and Call to Action ceremony closed the week-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, exactly 50 years to the date yesterday (Aug. 28). Thousands of people gathered at the Lincoln Memorial to hear speeches and performances from some of the most influential politicians, artists, activists and philanthropists who have played roles in the civil rights movement and beyond.  -- Dominique Zonyéé

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Let Freedom Ring Ceremony - The Let Freedom Ring Commemoration and Call to Action ceremony closed the week-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, exactly 50 years to the date yesterday (Aug. 28). Thousands of people gathered at the Lincoln Memorial to hear speeches and performances from some of the most influential politicians, artists, activists and philanthropists who have played roles in the civil rights movement and beyond.  -- Dominique Zonyéé

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Barack Obama - "We rightly and best remember Dr. King's soaring oratory that day, how he gave mighty voice to the quiet hopes of millions, how he offered a salvation path for oppressed and oppressors alike," President Obama said in his speech.(Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Photo By Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Bill Clinton Visits Apparel Manufacturer in Haiti - Former President Bill Clinton visited the apparel manufacturer Industrial Revolution II in Haiti as part of a two-day trip. Clinton was supporting the company's mission to "create long-term, sustainable economic development within the region of Port-Au-Prince," according to a statement. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

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Bill Clinton - President Bill Clinton not only advocated for racial and gender equality, he also had the most diverse cabinet in American history. He appointed the nation's first female attorney general, its first woman secretary of state and its first Asian-American cabinet secretary. (Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

Jimmy Carter - Eight years after Martin Luther King Day was proposed to Congress to become a federal holiday, the 39th president, President Jimmy Carter, proclaimed Jan. 15, 1973, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, to honor the slain Black leader.(Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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Jimmy Carter - Eight years after Martin Luther King Day was proposed to Congress to become a federal holiday, the 39th president, President Jimmy Carter, proclaimed Jan. 15, 1973, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, to honor the slain Black leader.(Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Rep. John Lewis (Georgia) - "When I look back on Aug. 28, 1963, the day of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, I see it as one of this nation’s finest hours. The American people pushed and pulled, they struggled, suffered, and some even died, to demonstrate their desire to see a more fair, more just society. Their effort and their commitment ushered in a spirit of bipartisanship, collaboration and meaningful change into the Congress."   (Photo: Chris McKay/WireImage)

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Rep. John Lewis - Rep. John Lewis’ roots in the civil rights movement run deep. He is one of the “Big Six” leaders of the movement, and helped to organize the original March on Washington for Freedom and Jobs in 1968. He has just released the first part of an autobiographical trilogy in graphic novel form, March: Book One, drawn by Nate Powell. (Photo: Chris McKay/WireImage/Getty Images)

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Oprah Winfrey - Oprah Winfrey is a TV mogul also known for her iconic roles in racially charged films such as The Color Purple and the just released Lee Daniels' The Butler. Winfrey also notably endorsed Mr. Obama for president and has spoken out on the Trayvon Martin case.(Photo: Mike Windle/Getty Images for TWC)

Forest Whitaker on working on films with serious social themes:  - “Throughout my life I’ve had to deal with certain degrees of prejudices as many other [people] have. I’m attracted to certain stories because I believe in social justice and… equal rights for everyone and that we are all entitled to a good life.”  (Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images for The Weinstein Company)

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Forest Whitaker - Forest Whitaker has used his platform as an actor and director to bring civil rights stories to light. He has starred in films such as The Great Debaters, about a Wiley College 1930 debate team, and The Butler, in which he plays a White House butler during the civil rights movement.(Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images for The Weinstein Company)

Jamie Foxx on doing a tribute to the late Michael Jackson at the 2009 BET Awards:  - "It was a tough 48 hours. We were met with the challenge of, 'Do we do a Michael Jackson tribute or do we do a show?'"  (Photo: David Livingston/Getty Images)

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Jamie Foxx - Jamie Foxx took his stance in the current civil rights movement, when he wore a T-shirt featuring Trayvon Martin’s face to the 2013 MTV Music Awards. Foxx backed the Martin family last March demanding justice for their son at the Million Hoodies March in New York City.(Photo: David Livingston/Getty Images)

Marc Morial - Marc Morial is the president of the National Urban League, a nonpartisan civil rights group that advocates for African-Americans. As the son of New Orleans’ first Black mayor, Ernest N. Morial, he has followed in his father’s political and advocacy footsteps.(Photo: Larry Downing / Reuters)

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Marc Morial - Marc Morial is the president of the National Urban League, a nonpartisan civil rights group that advocates for African-Americans. As the son of New Orleans’ first Black mayor, Ernest N. Morial, he has followed in his father’s political and advocacy footsteps.(Photo: Larry Downing / Reuters)

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Reverend Al Sharpton - Rev. Al Sharpton is one of the faces of the modern-day civil rights movement. As president and CEO of the National Action Network, the Brooklyn native helped to organize the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington.(Photo:Michael Buckner/Getty Images For BET)

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Ambassador Andrew Young - “He was absolutely fearless … he never compromised with segregation. It was on his legacy in Birmingham that we were able to get the 1964 Civil Rights Bill and the March on Washington,” Young said in an interview on CNN. (Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

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Andrew Young - In the early 1960s, Andrew Young joined the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and was a trusted aide to Martin Luther King Jr. Following King’s assassination, he continued his work in politics and was appointed as the Ambassador to the U.N. by President Carter in 1977 and served as the mayor of Atlanta in the 1980s.(Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

Most Likely to Run the World: Kid President - While most of us are posting cat videos and selfies on social media, Kid President is using the platform to change the world. The viral sensation, a ten-year-old kid from Tennessee, has interviewed the likes of Beyoncé, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and, of course, the real-life president Barack Obama. His comments and observations are often more insightful than those of professional journalists. Perhaps Kid President will run for president himself one day. (Photo: ana Nalbandian/Getty Images for Free The Children)

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Robby “Kid President” Novak - Internet sensation Robby Novak, better known by his nickname “Kid President,” is famous for his comedic, thought-provoking YouTube videos. His viral campaigning led to interviews with President Obama, Beyoncé, and others. (Photo: Dana Nalbandian/Getty Images for Free The Children)

Lynda Bird Johnson Robb - Lynda Bird Johnson Robb is the eldest daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th president, following President Kennedy’s assassination. Almost immediately after he was appointed to office, her father petitioned to pass civil rights legislation.(Photo: Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT/LANDOV)

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Lynda Bird Johnson Robb - Lynda Bird Johnson Robb is the eldest daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th president, following President Kennedy’s assassination. Almost immediately after he was appointed to office, her father petitioned to pass civil rights legislation.(Photo: Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT/LANDOV)

LeAnn Rimes - The country singer has taken it from all sides for stealing Eddie Cibrian away from Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Brandi Glanville, but Williams was the straw that broke the camel's back. After Williams called her double-adulterous affair with Cibrian "sloppy," Rimes tweeted that she was surprised at how "mean and judgmental" the chat queen was. That all seems to be water under the bridge now, as both Rimes and Cibrian sat on the Wendy couch and chatted it up with the queen of gossip about their new reality show, LeAnn & Eddie. Gotta get in that promo, right? (Photo: Kris Connor/Getty Images)

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LeAnn Rimes - Grammy Award-winning country music star LeAnn Rimes sang “Amazing Grace” at the Let Freedom Ring ceremony. She once wrote, "All I know is that in God's eyes we are all the same. I just wish we could see through the eyes of God more often."(Photo: Kris Connor/Getty Images)

The Winans - BeBe, Marvin and Carvin Winans form the gospel singing trio group 3WB. They come from large family of performers, dedicated to singing spiritually provoking lyrics, promoting peace, love and equality.(Photos: Phil McCarten/PictureGroup; Paul Warner/WireImage; Randi Radcliff/Getty Images for The Stellar Awards)

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The Winans - BeBe, Marvin and Carvin Winans form the gospel singing trio group 3WB. They come from large family of performers, dedicated to singing spiritually provoking lyrics, promoting peace, love and equality.(Photos: Phil McCarten/PictureGroup; Paul Warner/WireImage; Randi Radcliff/Getty Images for The Stellar Awards)

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Natalie Grant - Natalie Grant is an award-winning contemporary Christian music singer. Grant is also know for her work as an activist against human trafficking and sex slaves, through her organization Abolition International.(Photo: Moses Robinson/Getty Images for Gospel Music Association)

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Natalie Grant - Natalie Grant is an award-winning contemporary Christian music singer. Grant is also know for her work as an activist against human trafficking and sex slaves, through her organization Abolition International.(Photo: Moses Robinson/Getty Images for Gospel Music Association)

Peter and Paul - Peter Yarrow and Paul Stookey are American folk singers, and were members of the group Peter, Paul, and Mary who performed at the 1963 March on Washington. They also joined the voting rights marches from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, two years later. (Mary Travers passed away in 2009.)(Photo:  Stephen Lovekin/WireImage for Songwriter's Hall of Fame)

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Peter and Paul - Peter Yarrow and Paul Stookey are American folk singers, and were members of the group Peter, Paul, and Mary who performed at the 1963 March on Washington. They also joined the voting rights marches from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, two years later. (Mary Travers passed away in 2009.)(Photo:  Stephen Lovekin/WireImage for Songwriter's Hall of Fame)

Identity4Pop - Identity4 Pop, a three-part harmony group who sang at the Let Freedom Ring ceremony, is composed of Kennedy Stephens, 12, and fraternal twins Sydney and Shelbi Schauble, 11. The girls promote peace, love and self-esteem.(Photo: Identity4Pop via Facebook)

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Identity4Pop - Identity4 Pop, a three-part harmony group who sang at the Let Freedom Ring ceremony, is composed of Kennedy Stephens, 12, and fraternal twins Sydney and Shelbi Schauble, 11. The girls promote peace, love and self-esteem.(Photo: Identity4Pop via Facebook)

Pastor Wintley Phipps - Pastor Wintley Phipps is a world-renowned singer, philanthropist, motivational speaker and founder of the U.S. Dream Academy, a national after-school and mentoring program geared towards at-risk youth. Phipps has performed for Presidents Jimmy Carter, George W. Bush and more.(Photo: WENN)

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Pastor Wintley Phipps - Pastor Wintley Phipps is a world-renowned singer, philanthropist, motivational speaker and founder of the U.S. Dream Academy, a national after-school and mentoring program geared towards at-risk youth. Phipps has performed for Presidents Jimmy Carter, George W. Bush and more.(Photo: WENN)

Caroline Kennedy - Caroline Kennedy is the daughter of late President John F. Kennedy and followed in her his footsteps taking an active role in civil rights and politics. She is on the national board of directors for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and is the current U.S. ambassador to Japan.(Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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Caroline Kennedy - Caroline Kennedy is the daughter of late President John F. Kennedy and followed in her his footsteps taking an active role in civil rights and politics. She is on the national board of directors for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and is the current U.S. ambassador to Japan.(Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

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Vincent C. Gray - Vincent C. Gray is the mayor of Washington, D.C. He was part of the district's city council and is known for his impact on its education system.(Photo: Fernando Leon/PictureGroup)

Angus King - Angus King is a U.S. senator from Maine. He was 19 years old when he listened to Martin Luther King Jr. give his “I Have a Dream” speech which inspired him to support civil rights through his work as a politician. King supported the principles embodied in the Equal Rights Amendment in 2001 and continues to advocate for equality.(Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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Angus King - Angus King is a U.S. senator from Maine. He was 19 years old when he listened to Martin Luther King Jr. give his “I Have a Dream” speech which inspired him to support civil rights through his work as a politician. King supported the principles embodied in the Equal Rights Amendment in 2001 and continues to advocate for equality.(Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Donna Edwards - As the co-chair of the Women’s Caucus, Congresswoman Donna Edwards of Maryland is an advocate for women’s rights. She voted Yes to reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act and has advocated for abortion rights and other national issues.(Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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Donna Edwards - As the co-chair of the Women’s Caucus, Congresswoman Donna Edwards of Maryland is an advocate for women’s rights. She voted Yes to reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act and has advocated for abortion rights and other national issues.(Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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Marcia Fudge - Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Rep. Marcia Fudge of Ohio is an advocate for women’s rights and racial equality.  Following the Zimmerman verdict, Fudge argued that a Black youth was put on trial and not the man who killed him.(Photo: Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

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Ben Jealous - As the current president of the NAACP, Ben Jealous has helped to organize campaigns to abolish the death penalty for children and to pass federal legislation against prison rape.(Photo: Earl Gibson III/Getty Images)

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Clayola Brown - Clayola Brown is the national president of the A. Philip Randolph Institute, a union that fights for the civil rights of laborers and day workers. Brown has been a part of the labor movement for more than three decades and has worked for the UNITE HERE International Union since 1970.(Photo: Jesse Grant/Getty Images)

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Clayola Brown - Clayola Brown is the national president of the A. Philip Randolph Institute, a union that fights for the civil rights of laborers and day workers. Brown has been a part of the labor movement for more than three decades and has worked for the UNITE HERE International Union since 1970.(Photo: Jesse Grant/Getty Images)

Melanie Campbell - Melanie Campbell is the president and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to increasing voter participation in Black community. Campbell has devoted her life to fighting for civil, youth and women’s rights.(Photo: Courtesy of the NCBCP)

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Melanie Campbell - Melanie Campbell is the president and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to increasing voter participation in Black community. Campbell has devoted her life to fighting for civil, youth and women’s rights.(Photo: Courtesy of the NCBCP)

Charles Steele - Charles Steele is the chief executive officer of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He was the first African-American elected to the city council of Tuscaloosa and one of the first Blacks elected to the Alabama State Senate.(Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images)

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Charles Steele - Charles Steele is the chief executive officer of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He was the first African-American elected to the city council of Tuscaloosa and one of the first Blacks elected to the Alabama State Senate.(Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images

Jonathan Jarvis - National Park and Service Director Jonathan Jarvis helped designate 13 new national historic landmarks, including an Alabama bridge that was site of “Bloody Sunday” during the civil rights movement, and a historic stadium used by Negro league baseball teams in segregated 20th-century America.(Photo: NPS)

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Jonathan Jarvis - National Park and Service Director Jonathan Jarvis helped designate 13 new national historic landmarks, including an Alabama bridge that was site of “Bloody Sunday” during the civil rights movement, and a historic stadium used by Negro league baseball teams in segregated 20th-century America.(Photo: NPS)