President Joe Biden commemorated the 56th anniversary of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination on Thursday.
In a statement released by the White House, Biden expressed his admiration for Dr. King, calling him one of his political heroes. He shared a personal connection to the civil rights leader, recounting how his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware was affected by the turmoil following Dr. King’s assassination. Biden explained that Dr. King’s unfinished mission served as inspiration for him to leave his prestigious law firm and pursue a career in public service as a public defender.
Dr. King was present at a march alongside sanitation workers in Memphis who were advocating for better working conditions and fair wages. Tragically, he was fatally shot on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel.
Biden reflected on his experiences since then, acknowledging the ebb and flow of progress and setbacks in various areas that President Obama championed, including voting rights, jobs, and justice for all Americans. He expressed gratitude for the privilege of serving as Vice President to the first Black President and now President, alongside the first woman Vice President. Together, they aim to advance the vision of a beloved community that President Obama had set forth.
Before his assassination, King became widely recognized as a passionate and contentious civil rights leader in regions of the southern United States where few others dared to venture.
During his time as a prominent civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr. exerted pressure on Southern lawmakers to dismantle the racist and segregationist practices that were deeply rooted in the era of Jim Crow. His efforts led to several significant milestones in the civil rights movement, including the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1956 and the March on Washington in 1963, where King delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech.
