Entitled: "Author James Baldwin and actor Marlon Brando." The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom was one of the largest political rallies for human rights in United States history and called for civil and economic rights for African-Americans. Estimates of the number of participants varied from 200,000 to 300,000; observers estimated that 75-80% of the marchers were black. The march is credited with helping to pass the Civil Rights Act (1964) and preceded the Selma Voting Rights Movement which led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act (1965). James Arthur Baldwin (August 2, 1924 - December 1, 1987) was an African-American novelist, essayist, playwright, poet, and social critic. He made a prominent appearance at the Civil Rights March on Washington, D.C. on August 28, 1963, with Belafonte and long-time friends Sidney Poitier and Marlon Brando. The civil rights movement was hostile to homosexuals. The only known gay men in the movement were James Baldwin and Bayard Rustin. Marlon Brando, Jr. (April 3, 1924 - July 1, 2004) was an American actor. He is hailed for bringing a gripping realism to film acting, and is widely considered to be one of the greatest and most influential actors of all time.