John,

Tomorrow marks the 30th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. One way we can honor Dr. King is by supporting the Black-led groups carrying on his legacy for liberation and making change happen in our communities.

As the civil rights movement showed us, people in Congress and the White House didn’t just wake up one day and decide to pass transformative policies like the Civil Rights Act. Transformative change doesn’t come from the government, it comes from everyday people pushing for our rights in many ways at once: through movements in the streets, the courts, campuses, and more.

I want to lift up Oakland Forward, a grassroots organization in my district that’s serving and empowering Black and brown communities and working for a more equitable society where people can live free from discrimination and oppression, akin to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision of a Beloved Community.

Dr. King recognized that racism and poverty are interconnected. Carrying on that legacy, Oakland Forward’s priorities include securing economic justice and pushing for meaningful policy change such as paid family and medical leave. As we enter a new political term with an openly hostile president that doesn't believe in the vision of Dr. King, let's come together in support of our community-based organizations like Oakland Forward. Their work to challenge systemic injustice and racism is more important than ever.

For MLK Day, will you chip in to the grassroots nonprofit Oakland Forward, which is carrying on MLK’s legacy for racial justice and a more equitable society?

“We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now,” said MLK in April 1967. “Now let us begin. Now let us rededicate ourselves to the long and bitter, but beautiful, struggle for a new world.”

This Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we are still struggling for that world. Please know that you always have an ally in me in this ongoing work. Together, we will continue the struggle our movement ancestors led.

It’s an honor to continue to serve you and all the residents of my district in my fourth term in Congress. I’m committing to partnering with my constituents in the fight for equity and justice for all, including guaranteed civil rights for everyone.

Onward together in solidarity,

Rashida