The March caused great concern within the administration of President John F. Kennedy. It was believed that the march would undermine pending civil rights legislation and damage the international image of the United States. On the contrary, the March was a major factor leading to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the 1965Voting Rights Act. The March was also condemned by the Nation of Islam and Malcolm X, who termed it the "farce on Washington".
Kennedy initially opposed the march outright, because he was concerned it would negatively impact the drive for passage of civil rights legislation, but the organizers were firm that the march would proceed.
The march originally was conceived as an event to dramatize the desperate condition of fls in the South and a very public opportunity to place organizers' concerns and grievances squarely before the seat of power in the nation's capital.
The march did, however, make specific demands: an end to racial segregation in public school; meaningful civil rights legislation, including a law prohibiting racial discrimination in employment; protection of civil rights workers from police brutality; a $2 minimum wage for all workers; and self-government for the District of Columbia, then governed by congressional committee.
The march was successful in pressuring the Kennedy administration to commit to passing federal legislation.
Philip Randolph, founder of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, called for a march on Washington because the economic opportunities of the War years did not afford economic progress for the fl community.
Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam condemned the march as well, with Malcolm continually referring to it as the "farce on Washington." Any member of the Nation who attended the march was subject to a ninety day suspension from the organization.
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