Waters Statement Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

January 20, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Maxine Waters released the following statement today in commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day:

"Today, we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, the impassioned freedom fighter, who transformed the country and the world with his message of love and his work on behalf of the world's most vulnerable communities.

"As we approach the 50th Anniversary of the March from Selma to Montgomery leading to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, we should rededicate ourselves to the fight for equality that he led so remarkably. And while we have progressed and this generation enjoys unprecedented opportunities, this moment in time also demonstrates that prejudice and racial inequality are not merely relics of this nation's history but current issues that must be addressed with fierce urgency.

"Economic inequality remains a barrier to progress; the financial crisis has cemented an already wide racial wealth gap; states are assaulting voting rights; the 2013 Supreme Court case Shelby County v. Holder crippled the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965; and powerful interests are undermining the last tools minorities have to remedy the effects of systemic discrimination.

"These injustices remind us why we continue the fight. Lets support the peaceful activism of young advocates who are now embarking on a renewed mission to challenge America to live up to its ideals. By doing this we honor Dr. King's legacy and work toward fulfilling his dream of equality and dignity for people of all races and ethnicities."

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