Kerry to push for opening the FBI files on MLK's death and creating a MLK archive

[karynnj]

U.S. Sen. John Kerry plans to introduce legislation next week that would pave the way for the release of thousands of FBI documents on the life and death of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Kerry said the bill, which failed in 2006, can pass this year in honor of King. "I want the world to know what he stood for," Kerry said. "And I want his personal history preserved and examined by releasing all of his records."

The bill calls for creating a Martin Luther King Records Collection at the National Archives that would include all government records related to King. The bill also would create a five-member independent review board that would identify and make public all documents from agencies including the FBI - just as a review board in 1992 made public documents related to the 1963 John F. Kennedy assassination.

"This is personal for someone who came of age in the civil rights movement and was inspired by Dr. King," Kerry said. "He challenged the conscience of my generation and still moves a new generation of volunteers and activists to speak out against prejudice and suffering, wherever they might take place."

http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20100115/NEWS/1150343/King+s+FBI+files+may+be+opened+to+public

[bigdarryl]

1. WTF!!!! Kerry you should have your ass in Mass. trying to campaign for Coakley

to save that seat instead of rehashing old shit and I'm not saying releasing the documents means nothing but there's more important things going on right now

[karynnj]

2. Kerry is in Massachusetts and he will be at a rally for Coakley today

As to more important things, he has been working on them:

He also was with Governor Patrick on Wednesday speaking (in French) to Boston area Haitains on the crisis there. (http://thephoenix.com/BLOGS/phlog/archive/2010/01/14/john-le-kerry-addresses-boston-area-haitian-americans-in-french.aspx ) He also put out a statement on Haiti, with excellent information for MA constituents and called for giving temporary protected status for Haitians in the US. ( http://www.enewspf.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=12865:senators-urge-president-obama-to-grant-temporary-protected-status-to-haitians-living-in-us-in-wake-of-devastating-earthquake-&catid=88888983:latest-national-news&Itemid=88889930 ) In addition, he and his staff have obviously spoken to US telecommunications companies on helping - he is chair of the appropriate Commerce committee sub-committee - http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=125402&mesg_id=125402

On the Coakley race:
He will be at the rally for her today. He has also sent out many requests for volunteers and for donations to Coakley and asking people to vote for her from his list and asking for donations via the DSCC. Kerry was also there when she won the primary. I assume that he is working behind the scenes speaking to people allied to him in MA.

Not to mention - early last week, he had hip replacement surgery in Boston and is recovering. He obviously is working from his home - doing more than most Senators do in DC when the Senate is in session.

[politicasista]

6. Hope that

people like Rev. Joseph Lowery, the SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference) and other AA leaders see this as something real (which it is :)) instead of opportunism. There is just a lot skepticism with politicians right now, you know, that they are all liars and corrupt. :(


OTOH, though it's a start, but do agree with Mr. Sykes that the Senator's idea should be expanded to include the release of other documents describing other racial slayings from the civil rights era.

[beachmom]

3. What an assinine brain dead comment. Senators have something . . .

it's called staff. Maybe you've heard of it. Staff can release things like a new bill while Sen. Kerry at the same exact time can campaign in Mass. Another thing you could have done before hitting publish: Google. Then you would have known what JK was up to.

[blm]

4. He IS in Mass and working for Coakley - he's ALSO the best advocate for open government this nation

has had the last 35 years. Should he STOP advocating for matters of open government because doing so would HURT the election prospects of a Dem candidate?

I don't get what YOU think is the problem here, bd.

[karynnj]

8. Here - look at the pictures - he is at a Coakley rally speaking

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7476018

[blm]

10. great pics...

.

[politicasista]

5. Kick

:kick: :patriot:

[BlueIris]

7. Thanks, Senator.

Always working.

[blm]

9. Always.

MLK gatherings across Mass on Monday will be positively significant to Tuesday's election.