60 years since the March on Washington

Sixty years ago, we marched. 

In 1963, in the wake of violent attacks on civil rights advocates, 250,000 people came to Washington, D.C. from all over the country to stand up for freedom. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his transformational “I Have A Dream” speech, and Americans from all walks of life joined together to march for fairness, for human dignity, for voting rights, for equal wages, to end police brutality, to end segregated schools and housing. 

The March on Washington provided the political and social momentum to push through the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the National Voting Rights Act in 1965 – two monumental and transformative pieces of legislation. But 60 years later, we still have work to do. 

This weekend, a white supremacist gunman in Jacksonville, Florida killed three Black people with a assault rifle marked with a swastika, and he left behind writings that made his racist motivations clear. Across the country, divisive efforts are underway to erase Black history. Black people are still killed by police at higher rates than any other group. Attacks on voting rights continue to make it harder for Black voters to access the ballot box and elect leaders of their choice, who will help set policies to help everyone, not just a favored group. 

While we have made progress in some ways since the March on Washington, this anniversary is a solemn reminder that we have not come far enough.  But our determination to live up to Dr. King’s dream is stronger than ever - to build up a Beloved Community – where our children can safely go to school without fear of a mass shooting, and where every child is judged by the content of their character, and not the color of their skin. I won’t stop fighting for equality and equitable opportunity for all, like ending disparities in healthcare, police misconduct, Black unemployment, and more. Most recently, I joined my colleagues in a package of 8 critical bills[AM1]  that form one of the most comprehensive voting rights efforts in Congressional history. This package will help ensure everyone who is eligible to vote and who wants to vote in a federal election can – no matter your income level or zip code. 

Just like those marchers 60 years ago, we will not give up until we are a country with true liberty and justice for all.

Success Story of the Week: 

“There was an error in my online Optional Practical Training (OPT) application. I tried to contact U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services but never got a reply. With the help of Congressman Carson and his office, the withdrawal was successfully achieved on time. It’s the best public service. I want to show my gratitude to Congressman Carson and Kathy Downey.”

--District 7 Constituent  
 

Team Carson is Here to Serve You:

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Your Friend,

André