Janet Murguia, the president of the National Council of La Raza, used her speech to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech on Saturday to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform.
Speaking at the Realize the Dream March and Rally days before the 50th anniversary of King’s speech, Murguia said, “We march so that everyone knows that true justice must include enacting comprehensive immigration reform.”
She also said Americans should march for illegal immigrants who live “in the shadows” and who “live in fear every day of their lives because they are undocumented.” Murguia also called on Americans to march for the so-called DREAMers whose “status,” she said, prevents them from achieving the American dream.
Murguia said Hispanics knew Martin Luther King “was talking to us” when they listened to King’s speech and spoke about how King supported Cesar Chavez. Murguia did not mention, though, that Chavez opposed illegal immigration for much of his career.
“Si Se Puede,” Murguia said in concluding her speech, invoking the “yes we can” motto associated with the late labor leader.