[1]Cheri Beasley for North Carolina

Today, we recognize a man who is remembered for his commitment to civil rights, human rights, voting rights, fair wages, access to health care and the dignity of work.

While Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is remembered for his unwavering commitment, he indeed sacrificed his life for our democracy.

Dr. King knew that a country is not truly free or democratic when not all people enjoy freedom or democracy.

He knew we cannot celebrate a strong economy when people work two and three jobs to make ends meet and corporations profit as people struggle.

He knew that we cannot say our elected leaders represent the will of the people when voters are disenfranchised and excluded.

Yet here we are in 2022, still fighting for jobs. We’re still fighting for freedom. And we are still fighting for the right to vote.

Forty-nine states across the nation – including North Carolina — are attacking our right to vote in a desperate attempt to cling to political power. Meanwhile, we’re seeing Washington fail us by refusing to pass common-sense legislation that would protect the right to vote and help secure our elections.

Let’s be clear: the right to vote is about more than ballots being counted.

It’s about reasonably accessing the ballot box and ensuring our voices are heard.

The right to vote is about the dignity of a day’s work and the morality of a decent wage.

The right to vote is about making sure small business owners get a fair shot to grow, thrive and create jobs.

The right to vote is about your right to live in a world where you feel safe.

It’s about holding politicians accountable when they make it more difficult for you to take care of your families, earn a living wage, pay your student loans, afford your healthcare, or protect your planet.

We all know that when our votes are counted, our voices are heard, and change will come. And that is exactly why they are trying to stop us.

They aren’t just afraid we’ll vote – they are afraid we will win.

But make no mistake about it, we are going to win this fight.

In this moment, where the threats to our democracy seem so great, I am reminded of Dr. King’s words: “The time is always right to do what’s right.”

We cannot give up. We must assure that America keeps her promise.

Today, let us go forward with grace and determination to live up to the values of Dr. King and his call to each and every one of us.

Let us turn the spirit and energy of this day into the action and purpose we take into the days that follow.

Thank you,

Cheri

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