Washington (January 17, 2021) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statement today in honor of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. taught us that the dream of freedom could only be realized when every person has a fair and equal vote at the ballot box. The origin of the word franchise is ‘free’, and Dr. King knew the ballot is the key to realizing the liberty that all Americans deserve and upon which justice relies. Our job is to ensure his lesson on freedom is reflected in our democracy. We must pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the Freedom to Vote Act now, and we must abolish the filibuster to do it. Every person – no matter their race, gender, socioeconomic status, or creed – must have their voices heard in our democracy, just as Dr. King called for decades ago.”

###