Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the National Action Network’s Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Legislative Breakfast, expressing gratitude towards Reverend Sharpton and the organization's leaders for their commitment to upholding Dr. King's legacy. "This is about soldiers who understand the importance of using our feet, praying, doing good works that are about lifting up the people — with a sense of optimism and purpose," Harris stated.
She highlighted the impact of recent wildfires in southern California, particularly on communities like Altadena, where many Black families have lost everything. "I want to speak about them. I know we pray for them," she said.
Harris also drew attention to issues surrounding climate change and insurance companies' failure to provide adequate coverage for those affected by extreme weather events. "Climate change is real," she emphasized, noting its disproportionate effects on communities of color.
Furthermore, she pointed out the spread of misinformation related to disaster responses, urging action against it: "The rampant amount of mis- and disinformation... often leads the people who NAN has historically worked for in a — in a place of despair."
In closing her remarks, Harris encouraged perseverance in ongoing struggles for civil rights and human dignity: "And what Dr. King taught us... ours is a journey." She expressed confidence in NAN's leadership: "This is a group of winners."
