WASHINGTON (AP) — Tens of thousands of people are expected to participate in a march on the National Mall ahead of the anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

The march scheduled Saturday comes a few days before the actual anniversary of the Aug. 28, 1963, event that featured the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and his "I Have a Dream" speech.

Saturday's event will be led by the Rev. Al Sharpton and King's son Martin Luther King III. After several speeches, participants will walk the half-mile from the Lincoln Memorial to the 2-year-old Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.

Organizers say they hope Saturday's event will serve to inspire people again to educate themselves about issues they see as making up the modern civil rights struggle.

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(Photo: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)