Rep. Carson Statement on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Indianapolis, IN – Congressman André Carson (IN-07) released the following statement on the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Holiday:

"Today, and every day, we honor the life of Dr. King. More than 50 years after his assassination, his legacy looms large, especially in Indianapolis. Sen. Robert Kennedy broke the news of his murder that day in 1968 to a crowd of people in Indianapolis that included the late Rep. John Lewis. That tragic day remains a big part of our city's history. Since then, Hoosiers have continued working tirelessly to make our community and our world a better and more equal place for all, and I'm profoundly grateful to be part of this effort.

"We still have a long way to go to build Dr. King's Beloved Community, but we are making progress. In the past year, Congress and the Biden Administration have enacted policies that address and provide solutions to systemic racism, police brutality, income inequality, educational disparities, and much more. I'll continue working hard in Congress to strengthen his legacy through these reforms and redouble our work to pass voting rights bills to allow every American's vote to count.

"Let us also have the courage and the wisdom to oppose the efforts of people praising Dr. King while also working to reverse the progress he helped achieve. We should always remember that Dr. King was not universally beloved. He was vilified by many because he refused to accept the things he knew were wrong, and he posed an immense threat to those who benefited from the oppression of others. Today, as we continue working hard to break down oppressive systems, let us be inspired by Dr. King's determination in the face of adversity. He reminds us every day that striving for equality and justice is not always easy or popular, but it's always the right thing to do."