April 4, 2026
On April 4th, 1967, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered an address declaring his opposition to the Vietnam War and decrying the triple evils of racism, militarism, and economic exploitation. One year later — April 4th, 1968 — he was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.
Vincent Harding drafted the April 4th speech for Martin Luther King Jr., although he would always tell me the ways that his brother Martin made the speech his own. In the years after King's assassination, Harding was a key historian of the movement, teaching not only the historical facts of the events he witnessed and participated in, but helping millions understand the meaning of the struggle for which he and his companions risked and gave their lives. Harding often commemorated April 4th as a way to call attention to King's radical commitments to love and the revolution of values called for in Dr. King's speech.
It was a privilege to know and learn from Vincent Harding. He helped renew my commitment to the struggle for American democracy. The events below are opportunities to commemorate April 4 with me or in your own community.
Live Event at Riverside Church (April 4)
On April 4th, 2026, in partnership with Union Theological Seminary and Riverside Church, we are gathering to remember and recommit ourselves to the revolution of values expressed in "Beyond Vietnam." The event will feature a conversation between myself, and two people whose work in the world I greatly admire, the award winning journalist, Krista Tippett, and the writer, attorney, and civil rights activist, Michelle Alexander.
This event will be open to the public and starts at 3:00 PM.
Entrance – 490 Riverside Drive
Accessible Entrance – 91 Claremont (between 120th and 122nd Streets)
Parking – 120th Street between Riverside and Claremont
The Harding Gathering (April 3-4)
Vincent Harding was a mentor to scores of civic and cultural leaders in the United States and around the world. With partnership from Union Theological Seminary, Aljosie Harding and I are inviting those who knew and were mentored by Dr. Harding to gather on April 3-4, 2026. This is a moment when all of us need to remember the wisdom from the Black freedom struggle that Dr. Harding imparted and renew our commitment to the work for democracy that he inspired in us. If this speaks to you, and we haven't been in touch, please reach out.
Join Me in Reading the Speech (April 4)
I'm joining the National Council of Elders and inviting people to gather and read the speech on April 4th. If there is not already a gathering planned near you, we encourage you to convene in intergenerational conversation, read the speech, tell stories of the moments that expanded democracy and describe the future we imagine for ourselves, as we express our commitment to values reflected in "Beyond Vietnam."
July 4, 2026
This year, with the 250th anniversary of the declaration of Independence on July 4th, I’m choosing to focus my attention on the movements that expanded American democracy and that sought to make the words of 1776 true. A gathering on July 4 is being planned, and I will share more details here.
The Is America Possible? project is a creation of Lucas Johnson in partnership with Union Theological Seminary and in collaboration with Transformative Change.