On MLK Day, Senator Coons reflects on Dr. King’s vision
Senator Coons celebrated Martin Luther King Day with hundreds of Delawareans in Wilmington and Dover on Monday, recalling Dr. King’s pursuit of equality and justice for all. At gatherings across the state, Senator Coons joined local civil rights leaders to share reflections on the teachings and legacy of Dr. King and the work that remains to fulfill his vision.
At the 30th Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Breakfast, hosted by the Organization of Minority Women, Chris had the honor of delivering the invocation and paid tribute to the memory of the event’s late founder, former State Representative Hazel Plant.
Chris also visited with attendees of the Delaware State Bar Association’s Inaugural Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast, headlined by keynote speaker Lani Guinier, Esq., civil rights attorney and the first tenured African-American woman professor at Harvard Law School.
Senator Coons then traveled south to Dover to speak at the 31st Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast hosted by the Zeta Rho Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Addressing attendees, Chris discussed his efforts to restore key voter protections in the historic Voting Rights Act – a centerpiece of Dr. King’s civil rights struggle – that were struck down by a recent Supreme Court ruling.
“The reality is, discrimination is alive and well,” said Chris. “Attempts to block access to the ballot box continue today, and not just in the Deep South, but also around the country. That’s why I’ve introduced a modern voting rights bill to confront modern voting rights challenges. I am hopeful that Congress can come together to pass this bipartisan bill and restore the promise of free and fair elections that Dr. King fought for,” he said. Read more about the bill here.
Ending the day at the 29th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday Program hosted by Delaware State University, Senator Coons commended the event’s founder, Councilman Reuben Salters, on his work honoring Dr. King’s legacy. The program, featuring speakers and artists, is free and open to the public.
“What Councilman Salters has done with this event is to translate Dr. King’s message of strengthening justice, achieving equality and working toward the founding promise of the American Dream, into local, lasting impact,” said Chris.