Political Quotes

“I rise in honor of the extraordinary life and legacy of Bernard LaFayette, who passed away on March 5, 2026, at the age of 85. He was a giant of the civil rights movement and a lifelong champion of justice, equality, and nonviolence. Bernard LaFayette was an extraordinary man who had extraordinary talents and extraordinary courage. As a Freedom Rider and a cofounder of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, otherwise known as SNCC, Bernard placed himself on the front line of the struggle for civil rights, risking life and limb to challenge injustice and dismantle segregation across the South. As a trusted lieutenant of Dr. Martin Luther King, he helped to advocate a philosophy of nonviolent social change that moved our Nation closer to its founding promise of liberty and justice for all. His liberation was one of selflessness. His leadership was instrumental during the most pivotal moments of the civil rights movement, especially in my hometown of Selma, where his organizing efforts helped secure the right to vote for countless Black Americans. Yet, what set Bernard LaFayette apart was not only his bravery in those defining moments but his lifelong commitment to ensuring the principles of nonviolence would endure forever.”