Today, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes released the following statement uplifting Martin Luther King Jr. and his expectation for America:
“Today, as we work to honor the life and legacy of one of our greatest public servants, we must acknowledge that we have so far failed to meet the expectations that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had for our great nation. While we’ve made strides in the fight for a just democracy and for representation at every level of government, the threats of white supremacy, systemic racism, voter suppression, and Republican obstructionism still remain.
“In the face of these obstacles, the Michigan Democratic Party continues the work of Dr. King to protect the right to vote — including championing critical legislation like the Freedom to Vote Act and John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. While the Biden-Harris administration, Michigan Democrats in Congress, and state leaders like Governor Whitmer, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, and Attorney General Dana Nessel also push forward in that fight, Republicans across the country have not only shamelessly opposed this legislation, but have actively worked to strip millions of Americans of the rights and freedoms that Dr. King and so many others have fought, bled, and died for.
“Today, and every day, we pledge to do what is necessary to honor Dr. King’s legacy, stop Republicans’ coordinated attack on our democracy, and ensure that every American can exercise their right to vote – regardless of their zip code.”
