Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Opens in Washington D.C.

The Washington Post reports that the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial opens to the public in Washington D.C. today. The design is derived from part of King's famous "I have a dream" speech when he said, "With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope." The memorial sits between the Jefferson and Lincoln memorials.  King, who stood as pillar for civil and human rights and economic justice for all people, is the first non-president and person of color to be honored on the national mall with a monument.


LINK: http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/martin-luther-king-jr-memorial-unveiled/2011/08/22/gIQAN3CZWJ_video.html

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Reflecting on the words of Dr. King

As we continue to mourn the tragic murders that took place in Arizona during the assassination attempt on the life of U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ), we also take this day to remember Rev Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, his words, his life, his legacy.

While Arizona, a state that once opposed the creation of a federal holiday honoring Dr. King, grapples with how to move forward after last week's tragedy, and the looming division within the community over SB1070, we take time to remember the strength and perseverance that Dr. King brought to the civil rights movement and work for social and economic justice.

In the words of Dr. King

“There are certain things in our nation and in the world which I am proud to be maladjusted and which I hope all men of good-will will be maladjusted until the good societies realize — I say very honestly that I never intend to become adjusted to — segregation and discrimination. I never intend to become adjusted to religious bigotry. I never intend to adjust myself to economic conditions that will take necessities from the many to give luxuries to the few. I never intend to adjust myself to the madness of militarism, to self-defeating effects of physical violence.”

Last Week, several bills were introduced in the Oregon State Legislature that would force our state and local government entities to act as federal agents. Particularly troubling is that much of the legislation mirrors that of Arizona's SB1070. In addition to promoting a divisive climate, it represents an economic burden for our state and local governments, businesses, and local law enforcement agencies.

We must stand firm against any attempt to create a divisive political climate in our state. Reflecting on the spirit of the words uttered by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963, we must not adjust to allow passage of legislation that divides communities in our state, but oppose it and propose legislation that instead unites the communities of Oregon. We must also not adjust to allow any injustices against minorities and immigrants, but instead we will propose and support common-sense solutions that promote fairness, economic opportunities, social equality and security for everyone that lives in Oregon.
 

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere" --Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

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Cloee Cooper: This MLK Day remember the importance of 14th Amendment

Originally posted at Imagine 2050. Imagine 2050 is project which includes activists, immigrants, artists and students who are invested in a future nation that embraces multiculturalism and tolerance.

This MLK Day remember the importance of 14th Amendment
January 17, 2011
By Cloee Cooper
www.imagine2050.net

On Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, we should remember the cornerstone of civil rights in the U.S. – the 14th Amendment.

The 14th Amendment was written and enacted to give full rights to former slaves. It is the affirmation that all persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to its jurisdiction are, in fact, U.S. citizens. It is integral to the civil rights of African Americans and women, and is a crucial facet of American identity. Currently, we are in a political climate where the 14th Amendment is under attack.

Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) , and State Legislators for Legal Immigration (SLLI) are behind this attack. Earlier this month, State Legislators for Legal Immigration and Kris Kobach of Immigration Reform Law Institute met at the Press Club in Washington D.C. to announce plans to introduce state legislation to dismantle the 14th Amendment.
In an announcement published on SLLI’s website late last year entitled State Legislators Form Nationwide Task Force to Halt Anchor Baby-Exploited Illegal Alien Invasion, it states:

“The mission of this task force is to deliver a legislative solution that all 50 states can use to shut off a primary economic faucet that encourages pregnant illegal alien women to sneak across the border to have their babies, and in the process, reclaim hundreds of millions of hard-earned American tax dollars that are being fraudulently handed over to countless foreign invaders.”

State Legislators for Legal Immigration and Immigration Reform Law Institute are tied to the Federation for American Immigration Reform and are both part of the Tanton Network. The Tanton Network is criticized nationally by civil rights organizations and reporters for its ties to white nationalism and its efforts to dehumanize immigrants.

It is time to hold anti-immigrant groups accountable for attacking our civil rights.

We can’t allow the anti-immigrant movement to reverse gains that leaders like Martin Luther King fought hard to preserve and advance.

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” Dr. King said in his letter from Birmingham Jail on April 16, 1963.

In memory of Martin Luther King, Jr. and those who fought beside him to ensure racial justice and civil rights for all, we should stand with those who are challenging the anti-immigrant attack on our civil rights.

The 14th Amendment must be upheld.

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