Scenes From Restoring Honor and Reclaiming the Dream Rallies

Sheryl Huggins Salomon is senior editor-at-large of The Root and a Brooklyn, N.Y.-based editorial consultant. Follow her on Twitter.

Two Rallies, One Date

On a sunny Saturday, Aug. 28, 2010, Beck's faithful gathered at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial while civil rights activists and their followers marched several miles from Dunbar High School to the future site of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall.

Mr. 'Restoring Honor'

Fox News host Glenn Beck at the Restoring Honor rally in front of the Lincoln Memorial. "Today," Beck said, "we are going to concentrate on the good things in America, the things that we have accomplished — and the things that we can do tomorrow. The story of America is the story of humankind."

Steel Spines, Moral Courage and Honor

Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin addressing the thousands gathered for the Restoring Honor rally. "Look around you. You're not alone. You are Americans!" Palin said. "You have the same steel spine and the moral courage of Washington and Lincoln and Martin Luther King. It is in you. It will sustain you as it sustained them."

Name-Calling, Honor Restoring?

Thousands gather for the Restoring Honor rally at Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall. Despite rules not to hold any signs, some opted for a few choice words for President Barack Obama on their T-shirts.

An Aerial View

Overview of Glenn Beck rally at the Lincoln Memorial from the Washington Monument.

Pledging Honor

Crowds at the Glenn Beck rally saying the Pledge of Allegiance before the rally begins. "America today begins to turn back to God," Beck said.

The Old America?

William Temple of Georgia portrays Button Gwinnett, who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Young Dreamer

Jimmy Carlton Lidsay Jr., age 2, from New Jersey playing with his flag at the National Action Network's Reclaim the Dream event at Dunbar High School in Washington, D.C. The Rev. Al Sharpton and the National Action Network organized the event.

Ordering Their Steps

Anthony Ellison (far right) praying with others just before making the five-mile march to the National Mall.

Leading Today's Dream

The Rev. Al Sharpton, National Urban League President Marc Morial, radio host Tom Joyner and other leaders bring the march to the MLK monument site near the National Mall.

Marching Onward

View of the full stands at the National Action Network's Reclaim the Dream event at Dunbar High School in Washington, D.C.

Lincoln's Words

Eric Anderson of D.C. dressed as Abraham Lincoln with a message: Malice Toward None, Charity for All.

Sharpton Speaks

"People are clear in what Dr. King's dream was about, and we will not react to those who try to distort that dream," Sharpton said.

MLK III Speaks

Martin Luther King III addressing the crowd at the base of the MLK monument site.

Looking On From the Other Side

Glenn Beck supporter Jerrold Reams, 46, of Pinkney, Mich., quietly watches the Reclaim the Dream march go by on Constitution Avenue.

Keeping the Dream Alive

Hundreds march down N Street to the Martin Luther King monument during the National Action Network's Reclaim the Dream event.

Praying for the Future

Martin Luther King III, the Rev. Al Sharpton, XM radio host Mark Thompson and Dominique Sharpton pray at the closing of the Reclaim the Dream event.

Now What? Join The Root!

Have an opinion on what you just read? Register so you can comment and receive The Root's newsletter.

Just want to read more? Check our top stories.