WASHINGTON — On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Republican state legislators will falsely invoke the Reverend’s name and spew their revisionist version of his life only to continue trampling on his legacy by undermining voting rights and whitewashing our nation’s history.
This past year alone, more than 440 bills that would restrict voting access were introduced in statehouses, and state legislators in at least 28 states introduced or passed bills seeking to hijack our education system and prevent teaching about slavery, the underground railroad, and the many contributions and accomplishments of Black Americans throughout our history.
“Like clockwork, Republicans will shed their crocodile tears, cherry-pick and misappropriate the same Martin Luther King Jr. quote, and then return to their everyday work of dismantling his incredible legacy,” said DLCC President Jessica Post. “Instead of strengthening and expanding voting rights, Republicans fanned the flames of a violent and deadly insurrection, continue to cast doubt on the 2020 presidential election, disenfranchise the most vulnerable among us, and undermine the will of the American people. To add insult to injury, Republicans are actively attempting to whitewash our nation’s history instead of addressing and dismantling systemic racism. This year, I urge Republicans to save their platitudes and take action to enact Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream of ensuring peace, equality, and freedom for all.”
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