WASHINGTON (RNS) — As President Trump was sworn in three miles away at the U.S. Capitol, hundreds of people rallied at an African Methodist Episcopal Church to make a Martin Luther King Jr. Day pledge to support diversity, equity and inclusion, in direct opposition to Trump’s Inauguration Day promise to reduce programs supporting DEI.
“I will defend equality for all, diversity, equality, inclusion, women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, immigration rights,” said the crowd gathered at Metropolitan AME Church at a rally organized by the National Action Network in an oath led by the Rev. Al Sharpton.
“I am not for violence,” the crowd continued, standing and still bundled against the severe cold that gripped Washington and had sent the inauguration ceremonies inside at the Capitol. “I will peacefully stand against those that want to bring us down. I commit this in the house of God on this sacred ground, so help me God.”
The oath was taken in the name of King, as well as the 19th-century abolitionist Frederick Douglass and Civil Rights-era activist Rosa Parks, whose funerals were held in the historic sanctuary.
Sharpton, president of the National Action Network and the keynote speaker at the event, having been handed a note as he spoke, announced that Trump had stated his plan to end federal DEI initiatives.
The Rev. Al Sharpton speaks during a rally organized by the National Action Network at Metropolitan AME Church, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington, DC. (RNS photo/Adelle M. Banks)
At the Capitol, the re-elected president said, “This week, I will also end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life. We will forge a society that is colorblind and merit based. As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female.”
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Sharpton said his network planned to work with the National Urban League and other organizations over the next 90 days to determine what companies they will focus on to boycott among those that have both pulled back on DEI programs and have small profit margins.
“We’re going to ask everybody in this country — Black, white, brown, gay, straight, woman, trans — don’t buy where you’re not respected,” he said to cheers. “Donald Trump can’t make us buy your stuff.”
Sharpton recounted the trajectory of Black Americans’ treatment since their ancestors were forced out of Africa through the era of widespread lynchings, segregation and the protests that occurred during Trump’s first administration against the killing of unarmed people by law enforcement.
“We convicted the police in George Floyd; we convicted the police in Armaud Arbery; we showed, even under you, we would fight,” Sharpton said, addressing Trump. “And we will fight these next four years no matter what you say.”
Jennifer Jones Austin speaks during a rally organized by the National Action Network at Metropolitan AME Church, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington, DC. (RNS photo/Adelle M. Banks)
Jennifer Jones Austin, vice chair of NAN’s board, opened the 90-minute-long rally by remarking on the appropriateness of holding it in a Black church. “Since its beginning, the Black church has been our place of refuge and hope,” she said. “And on this King Day, this King Day in particular, we are all the more reminded that if ever we needed the Black church to be our refuge and hope it’s now, right now.”
Jones Austin recalled King’s calls for unity shortly before his assassination in Memphis in 1968. “My brothers and sisters, our coming together today demonstrates unity, our shared commitment to ensure ourselves a seat at the table,” she said. “And not just to just sit at the table but to turn the table over if we must.”
A march from McPherson Square in downtown Washington to the church had been planned, but the cold temperatures prompted organizers to cancel the march and start the rally earlier.
Manhattan resident Jamel Washington arrived at the rally on a bus provided by NAN. He said he had come because he wanted to “bring back DEI.” He called the confluence of King Day and Inauguration Day “bittersweet.”
“It’s more sweet than bitter,” he said. “I’m for equal rights. What they have here going for this occasion, Reverend Al Sharpton and others, it’s very much needed.”
Margaret Marcotte, left, and daughter Eliane Baijal at Metropolitan AME Church, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington, DC. (RNS photo/Adelle M. Banks)
Eliane Baijal traveled via Flixbus from Brooklyn to join her mother, Margaret Marcotte, a D.C. resident, to “renew peace” and “pay respects for MLK Day.”
Marcotte, who, like her daughter, is an Episcopalian, said she found Trump’s inauguration difficult to comprehend. “It’s disturbing for me,” she said. “This is why we’re here, to just be able to take the opportunity, to lighten the day for us.”
As the service concluded with a rousing version of “We Shall Overcome,” Nadiya Pope and Amber Creft, both lawyers and community advocates in Washington, were on their feet in the balcony. Afterward, they said they were leaving feeling energized and more hopeful.
“There’s an inauguration, but it’s also Martin Luther King’s day first and so we wanted to use this day to be with community,” said Pope.” I feel much better after being here. I feel even more fired up and ready to do what needs to be done in the face of adversity, no matter what.”
Jack Jenkins contributed to this report.
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