Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement in Observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Oakland, CA – Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day:
“Today’s celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy honors the progress we have made toward fulfilling the promise of justice and equality, but also serves as a reminder of the work that remains to fulfill Dr. King's dream.
“As Dr. King said, ‘Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.’
“President Trump’s empty words commemorating Dr. King, just hours after his inflammatory and racist comments about immigrants from Africa, Haiti, Latin and Central America, is proof that as a nation, there is still much we must overcome if that dream is to become a reality.
“We cannot allow the Trump Administration's racist ideology, behavior and polices to undermine all Dr. King fought for.
“If we are to honor the fullness of his legacy, we must first publically acknowledge racism and discrimination in all of its forms.
“If we are to keep his dream alive, we must answer Dr. King’s charge to live out the meaning of our creed by ensuring everyone in this country has access to the American Dream, regardless of race.
“This year on April 4th we will mark the 50th anniversary of Dr. King’s murder, a day that forever changed my life and the course of our nation’s history. But Dr. King’s call to action lives on and continues to inspire new generations of activists striving to carry forth his message of racial, social, and economic justice.
“So today, as we honor the courageous life of Dr. King, let us recommit ourselves to the struggle for equality and justice, and recall his admonition ‘that passively to accept an unjust system is to cooperate with that system, and thereby to become a participant in its evil.’”
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