McCollum Statement on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2024
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released the following statement today ahead of Monday's observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day:
“Today we celebrate and honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his work for justice. Dr. King gave his life in service of the creation of the beloved community—a better, fairer future shared by all. As our nation continues to battle the dark forces of white supremacy and systemic racism, we must all reflect on how each of us can help advance his legacy.
“This July will mark the 60th anniversary of the passage of the Civil Rights Act, signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. This landmark legislation represented remarkable progress in the march toward equality, banning discrimination in public settings, integrating public schools, and making racial employment discrimination illegal.
“Our diversity is our strength, and our democracy is only as strong as its people. As we reflect on Dr. King’s legacy, we must protect the progress we have made from efforts to undermine equity and access—voter restrictions, weakened election laws, political gridlock that is fueled by racial gerrymandering, and so on. We must focus on expanding access to the ballot box and defending the right to vote in free and fair elections, so that all Americans can shape our nation's future.
“We all must keep up the fight for racial and economic equality and justice for all.”
On Monday, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in Saint Paul. The event is free and open to the public. More information is available here.
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