Violence Is Not the Answer
Peaceful Action Works

Today we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.—leader for racial and social justice, honorable man of peace, vocal advocate for those without a voice, a man of faith who led by example. His was a powerful life cut short by violence, but his legacy of peaceful advocacy for justice grows stronger with every passing year. Though his voice was stilled on April 4, 1968, it echoes in our hearts and actions every time we reach out to help one another, every time we stand up to demand compassion over violence and revenge, and every time we strive to bring justice to some corner of our troubled land.

“The limitation of riots, moral questions aside, is that they cannot win, and their participants know it. Hence riots are not revolutionary but reactionary because they invite defeat. They offer an emotional catharsis, but they must be followed by a sense of futility.”—Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., speech presented to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference prior to the launch of the Poor People’s Campaign in 1968.

Circumstances change, participants change, but his words ring true in 2021 as they did over fifty years ago.

PDA salutes Dr. King as we work daily to bring about his vision of an America where peace overcomes war and violence, and where racial, economic, social, and environmental equity become reality.

Will you join us in our efforts?

Write to your US Representative today and urge them to cosponsor Rep. Cori Bush’s resolution, H.Res.25, calling for an Ethics Committee investigation of members of Congress to determine if their actions seeking to overturn the 2020 Presidential election violated their oath of office to uphold the Constitution or the Rules of the House of Representatives, and should face sanction, including removal from the House of Representatives.