Friend --
We have a request for you on this Inauguration Day
as Donald Trump becomes President for the second time. We all know
that the next four years will be years of struggle, as we work to
defend people, the planet, and democracy from Trumpism.
Last
year we regained ballot access and look forward to building local,
state and federal campaigns in 2026. If you were previously registered
Green, it is possible that your voter affiliation was not changed back
to Green after we regained ballot access. We ask you
to:
1. Check your voter registration status using
this Maryland State Board of Elections tool, (look for "Green"
after "Party Affiliation" and,
2. If
necessary, use
the state's online voter registration system to change your voter
affiliation back to Green.
More registered Greens
show that more people stand with us in the struggle against both
Trumpism and the broken two-party system that consistently lowers the
bar for our elected officials. Registering Green shows where you stand
in this struggle – please check on your voter affiliation today!
From the Green Party of the United
States:
Martin Luther King Jr. is often remembered
as a peaceful, unifying figure who dreamed of a world where people of
all races could coexist in harmony. However, the public perception of
him has often been sanitized, focusing primarily on his "I Have a
Dream" speech and his nonviolent resistance to racial segregation.
What is less often discussed is the complexity of his views and the
radical shift in his philosophy as his life progressed. By the late
1960s, King had become increasingly vocal about issues such as
economic inequality, the Vietnam War, and systemic injustice. He
challenged the status quo not only by advocating for civil rights but
by calling for a broader revolution of values that sought to address
poverty and war, viewing these as interconnected with racial
injustice.
To truly honor King's dream, we must go
beyond the iconic image of a man who simply dreamed of equality. We
must embrace the resilience and strength he exhibited in the face of
overwhelming oppression. King’s real legacy lies in his ability to
maintain his resolve and moral clarity despite personal and political
adversity. In his final years, he became more outspoken about the
flaws of American society, understanding that social progress requires
the willingness to confront uncomfortable truths and to keep fighting
even when victory seems distant. To honor King’s dream today, we must
show the same strength and resilience in the face of ongoing
injustices—whether they stem from racial inequality, economic
disparity, or political corruption. True honor for King means
continuing to advocate for justice, especially when the path forward
is difficult.

King’s
disillusionment with the two-party system, particularly as it failed
to address the deep-rooted inequalities he fought against, became
clear in his later speeches. He felt that both major parties were too
deeply entrenched in the politics of division and maintenance of power
to effect true change. His recognition that both parties had failed to
address the economic and racial disparities in American society led
him to call for a "Third Reconstruction" to push for real systemic
change. King believed that a third party, independent of the
traditional political structures, could better address the issues of
justice, equality, and human dignity that transcended partisan
politics. This vision of a third party was rooted in his belief that
the struggle for justice could never be fully contained within the
confines of the existing political establishment, which had proven to
be too compromised by wealth, power, and
racism.
By recognizing the deeper, unspoken truths
of King’s philosophy, we understand that the work is far from over. We
must not only honor his legacy but also carry it forward by staying
committed to the causes he championed. This means being unwavering in
our pursuit of justice, even when it seems like the system is against
us. And it also means recognizing that real change often requires
breaking away from old paradigms—whether they are political, social,
or economic—and pushing for new, bold ideas that will right the wrongs
of the past.
Let us uphold the unparalleled
leadership and legacy of the great Dr. King through our values as
Greens. The same forces Dr. King fought against are still alive and
well in this county. The path is to justice is long, but together with
your support, it is achievable.
In
solidarity,
National Black Caucus Green Party of the
United States
Maryland Green Party
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