Today, we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as a lived example of what it means to fight for justice, dignity, and safety in everyday life. He showed us that true safety is rooted in fairness, accountability, and a deep respect for every person’s right to live with dignity.
Communities—whether immigrant families, long-time resident neighbors, community businesses, or school teachers—know what it looks like to build safety together. No one, regardless of background, lived experiences, or immigration status, should live in fear in their own neighborhoods.
Yet we are witnessing how dangerous and unchecked ICE operations have become. Aggressive federal enforcement in residential neighborhoods fuels fear, erodes civil rights, negatively impacts local economies, and endangers all communities. As we continue to mourn the tragic death of Renee Nicole Good—a U.S. citizen and mother of three who was fatally shot during an ICE operation in Minneapolis—we are reminded that the violence we are experiencing in our neighborhoods betrays the very values that Dr. King embodied.
Honoring Dr. King’s legacy today means:
- Demanding transparency and accountability. We urge Congress to fulfill its constitutional duty by holding ICE and the Department of Homeland Security accountable through a full and independent investigation of the use of lethal force by federal immigration agents.
- Protecting civil rights and human dignity. Policies and practices should protect fundamental rights for all residents—immigrants and citizens alike.
- Opposing harmful funding priorities. As Congress negotiates Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations, we urge our elected leaders to reject funding that prioritizes enforcement over community safety, civil rights, and the dignity of all people.
Dr. King reminded us that justice isn’t some far-off idea, but something we create together. He believed in a world shaped by justice, love, and mutual care. If we carry forward his courage and clarity, we can protect civil rights and build a future where everyone can live with dignity and safety.