Summary

In Chapter 19, “Freedom Fighters,” The Big Ten meet within the Lincoln Memorial insisting that John Lewis change parts of his speech to make it less radical. They believe that his speech could damage the possibilities of the civil rights bill passing. Archbishop O’Boyle is still in a hotel room because he refuses to provide the opening prayer if the speech stays the way that it is. Everyone but Lewis believes the speech should be changed, and they set about changing it. They will allow him to give it if he agrees to the changes, but if he refuses the changes, he will not be allowed to speak. Randolph finally convinces Lewis to make the changes.

In Chapter 20, “Celebrities,” Rita Moreno, a Puerto Rican woman who rose to fame from her role in West Side Story is one of several...