New Kerry email on Sunday's march

[whometense]

:loveya:

Dear Xxxxx,

This week America lost a true hero with the death of civil rights leader Rosa Parks. She will be remembered in our history books as well as our hearts. We would not be the country we are today were it not for the courage she displayed so many years ago.

Her passing also reminds us of the responsibility we each have to make America stronger. We must continue working to guarantee that civil rights, voting rights and human rights are protected in this country.

Here in Massachusetts we have a very special opportunity to honor Rosa Parks' life and her legacy with the "Retracing the Struggle" commemorative civil rights march happening this Sunday October 30th.

Join national and local civil rights leaders at the First Church of Roxbury at 10 Putnam Street (John Eliot Square) starting at 1:00 PM on Sunday for this historic event. Led by my friend and one of my personal heroes, Congressman John Lewis, we will march 2.5 miles come rain or shine from Roxbury across Boston, retracing the route of Dr. King's historic 1965 Boston march.

Please join me at the march on Sunday to make an important statement about the necessity of preserving and expanding voting rights and democracy across the country.

In March 1965, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. marched from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. Five months later, the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965 became law.

In April of that same year, Dr. King led a march, protesting de facto school segregation, from Roxbury to Boston Common. Two months later, the state legislature acted to outlaw "racially imbalanced" schools.

On this Sunday, we will repeat that march and continue the fight for civil rights.

It is unacceptable that in 2005 there are American citizens that are still being denied their most fundamental rights.

The best way we can celebrate Rosa Parks' life and legacy is by acting on the courage of our convictions and holding our government accountable whenever our ideals of equality, freedom and justice are endangered.

If you care about protecting voting rights and growing our democracy, then come out and join us as we march in honor of those who walked for our freedom forty years ago.

Thank you for your commitment and dedication to supporting the fight for civil rights and voting rights in Massachusetts and across the country.

I look forward to seeing you and your family at the "Retracing the Struggle" civil rights march this Sunday.

Sincerely,

John Kerry

P.S. Invite your friends and family to join Congressman John Lewis and me on Sunday for this historic March. Click here to register now.