To commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Barack Obama gave a speech in Fort Wayne, Indiana, this morning calling on Americans to continue King’s lifelong pursuit of social and economic justice.Here are some of Senator Obama’s remarks:
Today represents a tragic anniversary for our country. Through his faith, courage, and wisdom, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. moved an entire nation. He preached the gospel of brotherhood; of equality and justice. That’s the cause for which he lived – and for which he died forty years ago today. And so before we begin, I ask you to join me in a moment of silence in memory of this extraordinary American.
There’s been a lot of discussion this week about how Dr. King’s life and legacy speak to us today. It’s taking place in our schools and churches, on television and around the dinner table. And I suspect that much of what folks are talking about centers on issues of racial justice – on the Montgomery bus boycott and the March on Washington, on the freedom rides and the stand at Selma.
You can watch the entire speech after the jump.
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