DNC Chair Tom Perez and DNC Black Caucus Chair Virgie Rollins released the following statements on the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.:

“It was no accident that Dr. King spent his final days in Memphis 50 years ago to support the thirteen hundred sanitation workers marching for better wages and working conditions. He knew that the foundation of the fight for equality has always been economic opportunity, and he gave his life for that cause.

“As we celebrate his life, let us recommit ourselves to his vision of equality, opportunity, and justice for all people – no matter what they look like, where they come from, who they love, or how they pray. Fifty years after Dr. King’s tragic assassination, it’s on all of us to fight for progress every day and ensure that we leave a more perfect union and world to future generations.”  

–DNC Chair Tom Perez

“Though this might be the 50th time Americans have rallied in remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s legacy, his voice is just as loud and crystal clear as ever. His message reverberates throughout our communities and remains a fire within our hearts.

“By no means is his mission complete. Wages in our communities are still stagnant. Racism, both hidden and overt, still permeates our politics. Not even our country’s children have equal access to good education and health care. But in the face of all these obstacles, we can be thankful that Dr. King taught us how to move forward and persevere. His life’s work was spent showing us that we can challenge the status quo and fight for change peacefully.

“As long as we can vote, we should have hope for the future. That’s exactly why we’ll push for expanded voting rights, and that’s why we’ll continue to organize and mobilize communities across America.”

–DNC Black Caucus Chair Virgie Rollins