2.3.5 Demonstrators Marching in the Street Holding Signs during the March on Washington, 1963

Regular people can influence the government by voting and also by coming together. People influence the government by voting for leaders, but they can also influence the government when they think that a law is unfair or a policy needs to change. Individuals can come together as a group in public demonstrations to express their opinions to government. In this photograph, demonstrators are marching for civil rights in 1963. How are the people in this picture trying to change a law that they think is unfair?

Regular people can influence the government by voting and also by coming together to voice their opinions. In this photograph, demonstrators are marching for civil rights at the famous March on Washington in 1963. Ask your students to try to read some of the signs that marchers are holding, and ask them to interpret what they think the protesters are asking for. You may also wish to explain that one of the protections the government affords citizens is the right to assemble and express their views, just like in this picture. This source and the letter to President Obama (Source 6) help students learn about the government through the role that ordinary people play in trying to influence it. Ask students to consider the question, What do people do when a law is unfair or they want to change it? This question will help students connect the role of ordinary people and the government.

Photograph of 1963 March on Washington.