Dr. Bernice King, the youngest child of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., expressed her opposition to Donald Trump becoming the next president. However, she sees a silver lining in Trump’s inauguration coinciding with the federal holiday commemorating her father.
“I’m grateful that if it had to happen, it occurred on the King holiday, as Dr. King’s message still resonates with us,” she expressed to The Independent. For her, the event on January 20 serves as a wake-up call for the nation, presenting a chance to oppose the upcoming administration’s contentious agenda items.
“We must not retreat or shrink back,” stated King emphatically. “It is imperative that we fully dedicate ourselves to upholding the noble cause of safeguarding freedom, justice, and democracy, in the same unwavering spirit as my father.”
King was filled with anticipation to witness Vice President Kamala Harris, who embodies both Black and South Asian heritage, make history as the nation’s first female president on MLK Day.
She had hoped that the United States would choose a leader who exemplified the same values that her father did. Instead, she found herself disappointed by the president-elect, who she believed was spreading hateful rhetoric and lacked kindness in his words and actions. Furthermore, she criticized his policies for lacking a humane approach.
In her own words, she expressed concern about the potential consequences of a Trump victory, stating that it could lead to an administration that undermines the progress made in civil and human rights. She emphasized the sacrifices made by her parents and countless others in the fight for these rights.
Civil rights leaders, like her, express concern about the incoming administration’s potential to diminish these rights. Trump’s proposed mass deportation plan, his intention to target his adversaries, and his plan to enforce discriminatory federal policies against LGBTQIA+ individuals and people of color are all causes for apprehension.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and NAACP have declared their dedication to opposing whatever lies ahead.
Gerald Griggs, the president of the Georgia NAACP, expressed his concern about the current state of civil rights, stating that we are entering a new era with potential consequences. According to him, the level of assault on civil rights that we are about to witness may be unprecedented since the 1950s, or even the 1920s.
The group is taking action to prevent Trump from having unchecked power by strengthening its legal and lobbying teams. Griggs expressed willingness to give the president-elect a chance, but expressed concern about certain recent actions, such as the appointment of former congressman Matt Gaetz as his choice for US attorney general. Gaetz withdrew himself from consideration on Thursday.
Griggs is concerned that under the Trump administration, the Department of Justice’s civil rights division will use its power against minority groups.
“We need to be prepared immediately,” he emphasized. “Organizational meetings are already underway at both the national and state levels to ensure our units are ready for what lies ahead.”
The ACLU, in a news release published the day after the election, pledged to protect against Trump’s deportation strategy, offer legal advice to whistleblowers, and contest any prejudiced policies and regressive measures concerning reproductive rights.
King understands that in order to resist the new administration, the same level of commitment will be needed as was demonstrated during her father’s era, when the country lacked essential legislation like the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act.
In the weeks following the election, she has found solace in his iconic words, such as when he proclaimed, “Let us not quench our thirst for liberty by consuming bitterness and animosity,” during his renowned “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963.
“I understand that many individuals are feeling a great deal of anger at this moment,” King expressed to The Independent. “However, it is crucial that we do not allow this anger to consume us.”
The streets of Washington DC are anticipated to be filled with thousands of protesters prior to Trump’s inauguration.
A major protest event called the “People’s March on Washington” is set to take place on January 18. Various organizations, such as the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and the National Women’s Law Center, have come together to organize this event in order to voice their concerns about Trump’s policies, which they believe may have a detrimental impact on civil rights.
On Inauguration Day, there will be a rally organized by Al Sharpton’s National Action Network in the city.
Last week, Sharpton emphasized the significance of peaceful mobilization and organization during his announcement of the event on MSNBC.
MLK Day has been observed on the third Monday in January ever since it was established in 1983. Similarly, Inauguration Day has been designated as January 20 since 1937. It is worth noting that this remarkable civil rights leader was tragically assassinated in 1968.
Griggs and King have plans to attend various events that honor the enduring legacy of the late King during the holiday. As Trump assumes office, Griggs hopes that the incoming president will reflect on the significant role this esteemed figure played in shaping American history. Furthermore, Griggs emphasizes the importance of not disregarding the lingering concerns of the residents in King Jr’s birthplace, Fulton County, who still await clarification regarding the charges tied to his endeavors to overturn the 2020 election.
In August 2023, Trump faced charges of racketeering and conspiracy for allegedly pressuring Georgia officials to manipulate the results in his favor. However, the case has been postponed following the cancellation of a hearing on December 5, pending further instructions from the court.
Griggs found the upcoming holiday to be intriguing, as he pondered the contrast between a man of remarkable greatness, humility, and community care, and Donald Trump.
In the past, only two presidents have had the privilege of being inaugurated on the holiday: Barack Obama in 2013 and Bill Clinton in 1997. During his inauguration, Obama chose to use a Bible that belonged to a prominent civil rights leader.
The Independent reached out to a spokesperson for Trump via email to inquire about whether the president-elect would include King’s legacy in the ceremony. However, a response was not received.