The Leadership Conference Expresses Deep Concern Over Release of MLK Records Against King Family Wishes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: [email protected] 

WASHINGTON — Maya Wiley, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement after the release of FBI surveillance records of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. against the wishes of the King family:

“We are deeply concerned by the Trump administration’s decision to release FBI records related to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as it callously ignored the clear wishes of his family. This action not only disrespects the profound legacy of Dr. King, but it also disregards the privacy and dignity of a man who dedicated his life to justice and equality.

“It is well-documented that Dr. King was the victim of illegal FBI wiretaps, which were part of a broader campaign aimed at embarrassing and harassing him and undermining the civil rights movement. These illegal tactics were a grave injustice and serve as a painful reminder of the discriminatory practices that targeted civil rights leaders during that era and by an administration that now has made it a mission to unravel civil rights gains.

“As we reflect on Dr. King’s monumental contributions, let us reaffirm our commitment to a beloved community, where the arc of the moral universe bends toward justice. This is a legacy worth affirming and advancing.”

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 240 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.

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