Fifty years ago, thousands of Kentuckians marched on Frankfort for civil rights.
On Wednesday, there was another march to commemorate that historic day.
On March 5, 1964, about 10,000 people marched in Frankfort. They walked in support of law that would help end segregation by making discrimination illegal.
It was an important day in the civil rights movement, as Kentucky eventually became the first southern state to pass a civil rights act.
A passionate group gathered at the African-American Heritage Center Wednesday morning to travel east to Frankfort.
“Fifty years ago it was really a disturbing moment, we were marching to get rid of segregation,” said Rev. Charles Elliott.
Elliott was there 50 years ago in Frankfort. He marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Junior to fight for equal rights.
“That's me leading that march there, getting ready to go to Washington. I was 22 years old,” said Elliott.
"It was rainy. It was cold. I was a young man, but I was right here," said Kenneth Sloan, a Vietnam veteran who was also there in 1964.
Sloan was an activist in his own right.
"I sit in the restaurants in Kentucky and was told to move to the back of the place and I was just one of them wild ones, I wouldn't move, so they removed me," he said.
Marchers and lawmakers called for civil rights in the state to be revisited.
Gov. Steve Beshear used the platform to push legislation that would restore voting rights for former felons.
“That's what this country is all about, people stepping up and being heard,” said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer.
Fischer was on hand to see the group off from Louisville. He said without people like this, change would be difficult.
“What runs through all of this, 50 years ago, what runs through this today, is citizens. You guys are great citizen leaders here today, taking your time to demonstrate to the world what you stand for -- equal rights, social justice, doing the right thing,” said Fischer.
A lot has changed in 50 years. In 1964, the fight was against segregation. Today they're fighting for voters rights and an increase in the minimum wage.
These activists believe they've accomplished a lot in 50 years, but say the work isn't over.
“We've made some progress, but we've still got a long way to go,” said Elliott.
People from all over the state flocked to Frankfort for the march Wednesday. Organizers hope to have 10,000 people attend just like they did in 1964.