1/9
Tomorrow is Martin Luther King Jr day and, in a year marked by constant and tremendous racial strife, the meaning of a day honoring a man who was committed to PEACEFULLY fighting for civil rights is even more poignant. #velshi
Tomorrow is Martin Luther King Jr day and, in a year marked by constant and tremendous racial strife, the meaning of a day honoring a man who was committed to PEACEFULLY fighting for civil rights is even more poignant. #velshi
2/9
Signed into law in 1983 by Ronald Reagan, #MLK day has become a national day of service during which people volunteer to help others in their community, which is fitting because it took a community to make #MLK day happen in the first place. #velshi
Signed into law in 1983 by Ronald Reagan, #MLK day has become a national day of service during which people volunteer to help others in their community, which is fitting because it took a community to make #MLK day happen in the first place. #velshi
3/9
The campaign to create a federal holiday in his name began just 4 days after Dr. King’s assassination in 1968 when Michigan Congressman John Conyers introduced a resolution to make it happen. It failed. #velshi
The campaign to create a federal holiday in his name began just 4 days after Dr. King’s assassination in 1968 when Michigan Congressman John Conyers introduced a resolution to make it happen. It failed. #velshi
4/9
Conyers literally introduced a bill year after year collecting new support along the way, including from across the aisle when Republican Senator Edward Brooke of Massachusetts joined Conyers by issuing Senate Resolution 159. #velshi
Conyers literally introduced a bill year after year collecting new support along the way, including from across the aisle when Republican Senator Edward Brooke of Massachusetts joined Conyers by issuing Senate Resolution 159. #velshi
5/9
While support in Congress grew slowly there was a groundswell from outside. Stevie Wonder wrote the hit song Happy Birthday to honor Dr King, and it asked the question why anyone would oppose the holiday. #velshi
While support in Congress grew slowly there was a groundswell from outside. Stevie Wonder wrote the hit song Happy Birthday to honor Dr King, and it asked the question why anyone would oppose the holiday. #velshi
6/9
100k rallied in favor of a an #MLKDay holiday (in 1983) people, helping created momentum, which led to 6 million signatures in support of the idea. It is believed to be the largest petition in favor of an issue in U.S. history. #velshi
100k rallied in favor of a an #MLKDay holiday (in 1983) people, helping created momentum, which led to 6 million signatures in support of the idea. It is believed to be the largest petition in favor of an issue in U.S. history. #velshi
7/9
The dedication and commitment to create a holiday in Dr. King’s honor might only be matched by Dr. King’s commitment to civil rights and economic justice itself. But the greatest takeaway maybe the idea that killing the dreamer didn’t kill the dream. #velshi
The dedication and commitment to create a holiday in Dr. King’s honor might only be matched by Dr. King’s commitment to civil rights and economic justice itself. But the greatest takeaway maybe the idea that killing the dreamer didn’t kill the dream. #velshi
8/9
The most uplifting thought I can bring you this morning as I stand in DC on what may be one of the lowest parts in this city and in U.S. history. 25,000 National Guard troops, miles of security fence, razor wire, declared states of emergency and a city still on edge. #velshi
The most uplifting thought I can bring you this morning as I stand in DC on what may be one of the lowest parts in this city and in U.S. history. 25,000 National Guard troops, miles of security fence, razor wire, declared states of emergency and a city still on edge. #velshi
9/9
Despite having lost the idea of the “peaceful” transition of power, come noon Wednesday, we will move on. We will move forward. Because as tragic and confusing as it all feels right now -we must, as MLK said, accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope. #velshi
Despite having lost the idea of the “peaceful” transition of power, come noon Wednesday, we will move on. We will move forward. Because as tragic and confusing as it all feels right now -we must, as MLK said, accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope. #velshi
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