Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden announced on Thursday a plan to reopen the economy “to make sure the reopening is safe and strong and sets the foundation for an economy that works for everyone.”
He also held a round table discussion on reopening the economy with community members in Philadelphia, though President Trump and his administration have already laid out federal guidelines for states to safely reopen in phases amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Amid his discussions with community members, however, Joe Biden claimed George Floyd’s death has had a greater “worldwide impact” than the 1968 assassination of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“Even Dr. King’s assassination did not have the worldwide impact that George Floyd’s death did,” Biden said.
“Because just like television changed the civil rights movement for the better when they saw Bull Conner and his dogs ripping the clothes off elderly black women going to church and fire hoses ripping the skin off of young kids,” the former vice president continued. “All those folks around the country who didn’t have black populations, heard about this, but they didn’t believe it. They saw it. It was impossible to close their eyes.”
“What happened to George Floyd– now you got how many people around the country, millions of cellphones. It’s changed the way everybody’s looking at this,” Biden suggested. “Look at the millions of people marching around the world– the world.” Video Below
Joe Biden’s official remarks:
Martin Luther King, Jr., a social activist and Baptist minister, played a key role in the American civil rights movement in the 1960’s. His most famous speech was “I Have a Dream” (1963), in which he spoke of his dream of a United States that is void of segregation and racism.
He worked hard to bring greater equality to America and ensure civil rights for all people, regardless of race. Notably, he brought publicity to major civil rights activities, emphasizing the importance of nonviolent protest. He organized nonviolent protests for freedom, peace and equality between blacks and whites based on his Christian beliefs.
King was largely responsible for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The Civil Rights Act banned discrimination in the workforce and public accommodations based on “race, color, religion, or national origin.” King is remembered each year on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a U.S. federal holiday since 1986.
