Trump, Cuomo praise the life of Dr. King on 50th anniversary of his death
President Donald Trump and Gov. Andrew Cuomo have issued statements of the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s death. King was shot and killed on April 4, 1968 at a hotel in Memphis, Tenn., just a day after delivering his famous “Mountaintop” speech.
President Trump issued this statement:
“Fifty years ago today, on April 4, 1968, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was tragically assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. Though he was taken from this earth unjustly, he left us with his legacy of justice and peace. In remembrance of his profound and inspirational virtues, we look to do as Dr. King did while this world was privileged enough to still have him. We must learn to live together as brothers and sisters lest we perish together as fools. We must embrace the sanctity of life and love our neighbor as we love ourselves. As a united people, we must see Dr. King’s life mission through and denounce racism, inhumanity, and all those things that seek to divide us.
“It is not government that will achieve Dr. King’s ideals, but rather the people of this great country who will see to it that our Nation represents all that is good and true, and embodies unity, peace, and justice. We must actively aspire to secure the dream of living together as one people with a common purpose. President Abraham Lincoln sought to eradicate the senseless divisions of racial hierarchies when he issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Just over 100 years later, Dr. King continued this effort and called upon Americans to reject ugly impulses and prejudices, and to recognize the beauty and the humanity of all people, regardless of the color of their skin. Today, we remain steadfast in advancing their efforts, in hopes of hastening the day when all of God’s children will join hands in freedom forever.
“NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 4, 2018, to be a day to honor Dr. King’s legacy. I urge all Americans to do their part to make Dr. King’s dreams of peace, unity, and justice a reality.
“IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand eighteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-second.”
Gov. Cuomo issued this statement:
“Martin Luther King Jr. changed the world through his courage, his dedication to nonviolence, and his belief that the course of history bends toward justice. The movement he led forced all Americans to look at the hard truths and make it our moral imperative to deliver on the sacred promises of liberty and equality established by our Founding Founders.
“Fifty years after his assassination we honor Dr. King’s legacy by fighting for a fairer, more just America. As he stated, ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.’
“We continue his fight against discrimination, inequality and hate in New York and across the country, from our education system to our public housing, to our criminal justice system. The obligation to continue Dr. King’s work now, more than ever, rests in our hands.”
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer posted this message on Twitter:
“Today, 50 years after his assassination, we honor Dr. King’s life and legacy with our words and our actions. Speak up & stand up; the march isn’t over. #MLK50Forward #MLK50”
U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand tweeted this message:
“Fifty years ago today, we lost a champion for equal rights. The day before his assassination, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. called on us to stand against apathy and hate. I look back on #IveBeenToTheMountaintop to sustain me in our ongoing fights for equality.
“His words delivered on that day 50 years ago ring as true as ever: “Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge to make America what it ought to be.”
“We again find ourselves in powerful days and challenging days. But your voices can lift us above the evils of racism and hate. So keep speaking up. Keep fighting for change. Together, we can honor Dr. King’s legacy in the light and love he left us. #MLK”
