old. it was the first time i ever felt i was involved in something far bigger than myself. the first time i felt i was involved in something that could make a difference in the country. what is important to remember, we in history recognize that we know that march ended up well. 250,000 people, not a moment of violence. at the time, people were so anxious in those weeks before. i remember in washington a state of emergency had been set up that day. all hospitals were not to do elective surgery. they expected so many casualties. the baseball game was canceled. bars were closed. liquor stores were closed. the buses that came in had to leave that night. there was such a fear of violence. what an incredible job a. phillip randolph and others did. jfk introduced a civil rights bill earlier in the summer, and i heard about this meeting where martin luther king said, you always say the things that i m involved in are ill timed. actually, this timing is really