Many House and Senate lawmakers are honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., today, but social media users are correcting the record of so many Republicans who are trying to use the late, great American civil rights leader and icon as a shield for their own egregious attacks on civil rights and Black Americans.
Take, for example, U.S. Senator Rand Paul, Republican of Kentucky, who posted this tweet attempting to paint himself as a bipartisan actor “working together for change” – which many were quick to provide proof of how he is not:
As we honor MLK today, may his courage inspire us to redouble our commitment to working together for change. Let\u2019s commemorate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King by uniting the two Americas into one: an America that includes justice for one, and justice for all. #MLKDay— Senator Rand Paul (@Senator Rand Paul) 1642429677
Sen. Paul’s Democratic challenger in the upcoming 2022 race, Charles Booker, offered some of the best examples:
Sincerely, save your empty words. \n\nYou are the person who said you would have opposed the Civil Rights Act, singlehandedly blocked the Emmett Till Antilynching Act, and had the audacity to say racism no longer exists.https://twitter.com/randpaul/status/1483083676309196807\u00a0\u2026— Charles Booker (@Charles Booker) 1642432008
Several others joined in to chastise the right wing Senator:
You really DO have no shame. You sided AGAINST innocent black men that were murdered while handcuffed and unarmed. You sided AGAINST voting right. You sided WITH a virus that kills us all regardless of race so...maybe THAT is your equality moment? #MartinLutherKingDayhttps://twitter.com/RandPaul/status/1483083676309196807\u00a0\u2026— Victor Ruiz -The Voice Of Rican- (@Victor Ruiz -The Voice Of Rican-) 1642430422
Forget what Republicans say on MLK Day. Look at what they do and who they hire the other 364 days a year. This guy used to be on Rand's staff. https://twitter.com/RandPaul/status/1483083676309196807\u00a0\u2026pic.twitter.com/Sl6lqB3tm6— Greg Pinelo (@Greg Pinelo) 1642433995
What a hypocrite. Try practicing what MLK taught.— PJnZoey (@PJnZoey) 1642437384
Stop trying to suppress the right of all people (especially Black people) to vote then, MLK fought for this, your words are empty and hypocritical— Kanye South (@Kanye South) 1642437397
You must not assume you can speak on behalf of those who cherish MLK\u2019s words and deeds. It\u2019s actually repulsive.— Marian Shuter (@Marian Shuter) 1642437378
You are exactly the type of person MLK warned about and fought against.— Ballardite (@Ballardite) 1642437020
