Earlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul delivered remarks at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s 40th Annual Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The event commemorated Dr. King’s legacy and highlighted ongoing efforts in New York State to protect civil rights.
During her speech, Hochul reflected on Dr. King’s role as a symbol of justice and hope. She said, “Thank you, Tamara and thank you everyone here for joining us in this celebration of a rightful king. Dr. King represented justice, the King that I know represented hope of a better future. The King that we know, showed us a path forward. The King that we know stood up and rejected the status quo and said, we will continue the March for Civil Rights and Justice for as long as it takes.”
Governor Hochul also drew contrasts between Dr. King’s vision and current political leadership in Washington, D.C., stating: “What a difference from the self-appointed king we have in the United States of America today? Oh yeah, I’m not happy… One year later, the threats that we have seen coming out of Washington – again, a self-appointed king fly in the face of everything that Dr. Martin Luther King ever stood for and shed blood for.”
She referenced recent tragedies and reaffirmed New York’s historical role in civil rights movements: “And my heart breaks over the knowledge that in Minnesota, a six-year-old woke up with a mom and went to bed an orphan in America… But let me tell you about New York State because we have been at the beginning of so many critical movements… The Women’s Rights Movement, the LGBTQ+ movement all started here in the State of New York.”
Hochul discussed policy measures announced during her recent State of the State address aimed at protecting residents from immigration enforcement actions without due process: “If we are going to be defending our rights against ICE agents… I will get passed through this legislature, a private right of action. So if ICE agents come and take away your constitutional rights and work outside the scope of their law — you’ll be able to take them to court and seek justice here in the State of New York.”
She further stated: “There used to be sensitive locations where ICE was not allowed to go… Here in the State of New York, you’ll not go into a school. You’ll not go into a church… unless you have an order signed by a judge…”
The governor concluded by reiterating New York’s commitment to inclusivity: “And New York will always stand strong. We still have the Statue of Liberty in our harbor… So, Dr. King, we will not let you down as you look upon us… did they stand up for each other the way Dr. King taught us? And my friends, the resounding answer must be yes.”
