For Immediate Release: Monday, Jan. 18, 2016
Contact: Donna De La Cruz, [email protected] (202) 339-9331 

Racial Injustice, Economic Inequality Still Plague Much Of U.S.

(WASHINGTON)—Here is a statement from Kica Matos, Director of Racial Justice and Immigrant Rights at the Center for Community Change, honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.:

“Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream of an America where everyone has basic rights like a decent job that pays living wages, adequate housing, a good education and safe and sustainable neighborhoods is not a reality in many communities, especially those of color, across the country.

Dr. King believed these goals could be achieved if communities and people at the grassroots came together to work to create these equal societies, what his “Poor People’s Campaign” to end economic injustice aimed to do.

Over the past year, I have seen sparks of this movement coming together, with young people fighting racial inequality on college campuses, people of all races fighting against police brutality, and low-wage workers standing up for better wages.

More and more Americans are fighting to end wealth inequality, demanding that laws and regulations favoring big corporations and the wealthy over millions of hardworking men and women be repealed. And formerly incarcerated people and their families are fighting for access to good jobs and housing so they can fully reintegrate into society.

Immigrant families, who contribute so much to their adopted country, remain mired in uncertainty and fear as they await word from the Supreme Court on whether the justices will hear the case involving President Obama’s 2014 executive actions that would provide administrative relief to five million immigrants.

I am heartened over the past year to see black and brown communities come together to fight racial and economic injustice. Community Change is working toward tackling the many issues that cause poverty in this country. We are convinced that grassroots and social movements can create an economy that is powered by equity and sustained by fairness.

I hope at this time next year, America will have seen great strides toward achieving Dr. King’s dream.”

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