Celebrating the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 15, 2018
Brooklyn, NY – Every year on the third Monday in January, we celebrate a true progressive hero and revolutionary - the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Originally established in 1983 as a federal holiday marking the birthday of Dr. King, the meaning behind this special day continues to grow and is now also observed as a national day of service. Dr. King's leadership in confronting injustice and using nonviolent protests throughout the mid-'50s and '60s is still as inspiring and powerful today as it was throughout one of the darkest times in American history.
From his instrumental role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott, to organizing the March on Washington and forging ahead arm in arm across the Edmund Pettus Bridge from Selma to Montgomery, until his assassination in 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. believed in the "fierce urgency of now" on the journey to enact change.[1] He was arrested 30 times in his fight against grave inequality, oppression and prejudice, but through it all, his messages of inclusion, empowerment, love and peace persevered. On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, this Jan. 15, we come together to reflect on the progress we've made, as well as recommit ourselves to his quest to let freedom ring.
Dr. King's life and actions give us an enduring reminder that we must continue to stand up for what is right no matter how arduous the task may seem. In the words of Dr. King, "We cannot walk alone. And as we walk we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back."[1]
"As the daughter of Haitian immigrants, and the first Haitian-American woman to be elected to office in New York City, I understand what inequality, and unborn injustices can mean to a community," said Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte. "Unlike our President, I believe that the opportunity to succeed, which is becoming of all mankind, should be afforded to everyone. Over and over again he has chosen to single out people of color, and immigrants as people who only take from this country without contributing. I'm working to fulfill Dr. King's vision of making our world a better place. That’s why I'm fighting to ensure each and every New Yorker is treated fairly and has an opportunity to succeed."
The Assembly has led the way to raise the minimum wage and establish a paid family leave program to help put economic security within reach for more New Yorkers. It also passed "Raise the Age" legislation, which increased the age of criminal responsibility to give young people a chance to get their lives back on track. Lastly, the Assembly supported the implementation of President Obama's My Brother's Keeper initiative to address systemic opportunity disparities faced by young men of color.
We've come a long way in the years since Dr. King's landmark "I Have a Dream" speech, but inequality and injustice still exist. In far too many communities, an unfair criminal justice system, underfunded schools and a vicious cycle of poverty have robbed generation after generation of the freedom and opportunity Dr. King fought so hard for. As always, my door is open. Please don't hesitate to reach out and contact my office at bichotter@nyassembly.gov or at 718-940-0428.
________________________________________
[1] archives.gov/files/press/exhibits/dream-speech.pdf
______________________________________________
As part of this National Day of Service, join us for a
Rally for Justice
3pm
Times Square
to raise your voice against racism
