Alabama remembers Martin Luther King, Jr., 50 years after assassination
Wednesday marks 50 years since the assassination of civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and people across the country are taking time to remember his life and legacy. A lot of King’s fight for racial equality took place in Alabama, and Yellowhammer State politicians taking a moment to remember him today. Here’s what they’re saying: Tuscaloosa Mayor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Walt Maddox (via statement): Words are inadequate as we remember the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on this the 50th Anniversary of his assassination. For most of us in public service, when it comes to honoring Dr. King, we select one of his many inspirational quotes, and we try to summarize it in a way that is reaffirming and sanitized. While intentions may be honorable, it falls woefully short of honoring an American patriot whose life was cut tragically short. [Click here to read more.] Alabama 7th District U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (via Facebook): Today, as we remember Dr. King on the 50th anniversary of his death, I want to share one of his speeches that I believe resonates today – on the power of love. As anger and hate drive a wedge between Americans, let’s remember what Dr. King taught us, that it is love that will win our fight for justice. Love for our neighbor, love for our enemy, love correcting everything that stands against love. U.S. Sen. Doug Jones (via Facebook): Fifty years after Dr. Martin Luther King’s passing this week, each of us has a responsibility to continue to fight for the American Dream. We must honor Dr. King’s legacy by working to ensure our nation lives up to its creed of dignity, respect, equality and justice. #MLK50 Tuskegee-Democrat State Rep. Pebblin Warren (via Facebook): Today is my birthday and the day Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated on my 16th Birthday. Over the years I have been truly blessed to come from cotton fields in Georgia to the State House in Alabama. I have had my shares of ups and downs but through it all my faith has carried me through. I was born in the house below by a midwife. Back in the day the kitchen was separated from the house. I am so thankful to my mother who had an 8th grade education, but wisdom unmeasurable. My father died when I was 6 and 6 days old. Mama instilled getting an education, strong work habits, strong religious beliefs and to help where ever you can. I am so thankful to my husband, children and grand children for their undying LOVE. My prayer is that God will continue to bless me with good health, mind and soul for many more years to come. Alabama 1st District U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne (via Facebook): Today we remember the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King’s “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech was his final address before his assassination in 1968. Fifty years later, we continue work to promote equal opportunities for all and keep his dream alive. #MLK50 This article will continue to be updated throughout the day.
Missouri lawmaker Maria Chappelle-Nadal posts, deletes Trump assassination comment
A Missouri lawmaker acknowledged Thursday that she posted and later deleted a comment on Facebook about hoping for President Donald Trump‘s assassination, saying she was frustrated with the president’s response to the white supremacist rally and violence in Charlottesville, Virginia. Democratic Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal said she was wrong for writing the post and didn’t mean what she said, but she refused calls to resign. She said she wrote “I hope Trump is assassinated!” in response to a post that suggested Vice President Mike Pence would try to have Trump removed from office. “What I wrote down on my private Facebook page, was it wrong? Absolutely,” she told The Associated Press. “But I am going to continue to talk about the anger and the frustration that led to that.” The post drew a swift rebuke, including calls from top Democrats for her resignation. Among them were Missouri Senate Democratic Leader Gina Walsh, who condemned Chappelle-Nadal’s post as “horrible.” The chairman of the Missouri Democratic Party, Stephen Webber, said the comments were “indefensible” and the party “will absolutely not tolerate calls for the assassination of the president.” “I condemn it. It’s outrageous,” added Democratic U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, the state’s senior senator. “And she should resign.” Missouri’s Republican Gov. Eric Greitens and the state Republican party also called for her resignation, but Chappelle-Nadal said she had no intention of doing so. “I refuse to resign for exercising my First Amendment rights, even though what I said was wrong,” she said. The U.S. Secret Service released a statement saying it looks into all threats against the president, “whether they be direct, implied, or comments in passing.” Chappelle-Nadal, from the St. Louis suburb of University City, said constituents in her predominantly black district are concerned about how Trump blamed “both sides” of the clashes in Charlottesville. The violence included a man slamming his car into people protesting against the white supremacist rally, killing one woman and injuring more than a dozen other people. “By our president saying things such as he does, supporting white supremacy and the Nazis and KKK, it’s causing a lot of trauma,” Chappelle-Nadal said. Chappelle-Nadal, who is black, was elected to the Missouri Senate in 2010, after serving in the state House for five years. She has been an outspoken activist while in the Legislature. She was a prominent voice during the protests in Ferguson, Missouri, after the police killing of Michael Brown, a black 18-year-old resident who was unarmed when fatally shot by an officer in 2014. Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
