“I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation,” began American civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivering his renowned “I Have a Dream” speech on Aug. 28, 1963.
King stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., looking out at more than 250,000 freedom marchers. They overflowed the Lincoln Memorial Plaza, lining the Reflecting Pool and stretching eastward to the Washington Memorial at the far, opposite end of the National Mall.
More than six decades later—on Jan. 14—King and the famous civil rights march on Washington for jobs and freedom were commemorated with a choral reading of King’s complete speech at Santa Clara Central Park Library.
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Additional chairs had to be set out as community members—including children with tablets coloring pictures of MLK, Jr.—filled the Redwood Room, attentive to the opening remarks of City Librarian Patty Wong and City Manager Jōvan Grogan.
“We are honored to be here together as we reflect on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the ongoing work of healing, justice, and unity,” said Wong before introducing Grogan.
“We join in this choral reading … as neighbors, learners, and residents—united in the belief that freedom is strengthened when we come together, listen to one another and continue the work Dr. King began,” said Grogan.
“His words remind us that democracy is not just an idea—it is a practice we live every day together … A democracy requires participation, and a complacent citizenry may find themselves no longer in a democracy,” continued Grogan.
Next, one by one, 23 racially diverse Santa Clara community leaders came forward, each reading a passage from King’s speech. Near the end of the speech, everyone in the room rose, joining their voices in chorus to read the closing passages.
“And so let freedom ring … From every mountainside, let free ring. And when this happens … we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: ‘Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!’”
Santa Clara Parks and Recreation Program Coordinator Derek Bryant, a Santa Clara native, was one of the 23 solo readers.
“I had a very warm feeling when we all read the last part of the speech together,” said Bryant, who is Black. “I felt unified with the residents of Santa Clara.
“I want people to know that American Black history is world history and learning about that history creates solidarity and a better place for our children’s future,” he added.
The MLK, Jr., choral reading was a first for Santa Clara Library, and City Manager Grogan gave libraries high praise.
“Libraries are where democracy thrives—where every person who walks through the doors is welcome, and where knowledge, opportunity, and possibility are free and within reach,” said Grogan. “This is a place where voices are heard, dreams are nurtured, and people of all ages can shape their future using the resources our community shares.”
The MLK, Jr., event was sponsored by the Santa Clara City Library Foundation and Friends and a grant from the American Library Association for the Jan. 20 National Day of Racial Healing.
To hear King himself read “I Have a Dream,” call the library 24/7 through Jan. 25 on its Dial-A-Story line: (408) 615-2909, press 3.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change posted a video of King delivering his speech on YouTube.
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