MADISON, Wis. — In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the following statements were released by the Democratic Party of Wisconsin’s leadership team:
Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler:
“Today, we honor the life, work, and mission of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a man who dedicated his life to holding our nation to its highest ideals, and in so doing, reshaped history for the better — civil rights, voting rights, workers’ rights, human rights, peace, health care, and justice for all.
“Dr. King’s impact was immeasurable—for Black Americans specifically and for all Americans. Since his passing, it falls to all of us to carry his work forward. Today, in that spirit, we’re urging the Senate to take action and pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Here in Wisconsin, Governor Evers has stood firm against Republican legislation that would make it harder for voters to cast a ballot. We need the Senate to act now to ensure that elections in Wisconsin and across the country are free, fair, and accessible.
“Justice, equality, and opportunity for all — that is the great work before us. As Wisconsin Democrats, we will continue our work to organize in communities across the state to elect principled, progressive leaders and we will continue working together to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”
Democratic Party of Wisconsin Vice Chair Felesia Martin:
“Today is an opportunity not only to reflect on the life of Dr. King,, but a chance to recommit ourselves to the dream he left for us to realize.
“Dr. King’s dream was one of an America that lived up to its founding ideals of equality for all. Central to our founding promise is the principle that everyone gets a vote – and that every vote counts. Over the past year, we’ve seen our democracy challenged like never before: not only has our individual right to vote been questioned, but the very concept of majority rule has come under attack.
“In his life, Dr. King visited the mountaintop, and he told us that as a people, we would one day reach the promised land he had seen spread out for us. Dr. King’s life lit the path forward, and his legacy continues to guide us, but unless we preserve the very foundations of our democracy, the journey will remain incomplete.”
