Prieto, Chiaravalloti, Davis reflect on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto (D-32), Assemblyman Nick Chiaravalloti (D-31) and Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis have all released statements reflecting on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

“While we have come a long way from the dark days of segregation and Jim Crow, it is painfully clear from the hateful, dangerous and divisive rhetoric that consumes many online conversations and is championed by individuals who aspire to lead our country, that the values and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. are as relevant and necessary now, as they were decades ago,” Prieto said.

“As we reflect on his legacy, let’s find strength in his teachings and the sacrifices that he and many other brave civil right leaders made, and stand up against bigotry and intolerance. The ravings can be deafening, but they can and will be silenced as long as we follow in Dr. King’s example.”

Chiaravalloti, who was just sworn into office two weeks ago, said we should try to “reject hate and embrace love” just as King did.

“As we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we are reminded that we need to keep the dream alive, to strive for a city, state and nation that recognizes and respects the intrinsic value of each of its citizens,” the assemblyman said.

“There are many challenges facing our communities, and there are those who would resort to name calling and scare tactics to get their way. However, like Dr. King, we must reject hate and embrace love. As he said, ‘Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.'”

Additionally, Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis said that recently going through photos of Bayonne High School’s graduating classes allowed him to appreciate the diversity of the Peninsula City.

“What didn’t change from year to year, decade to decade, was the enthusiasm evident in the eyes of many of the graduates as they set out to make their own mark on the world outside the walls of the schools that had protected and prepared them for so long,” Davis said.

“The diversity of the student body became even more evident as the years rolled on, reminding me of a saying Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. used to remind us that to be stronger we must work together.”

“It is true indeed as Dr. King said that “we may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now,” and it is only by accepting and celebrating the great diversity of Bayonne that we can continue to move our city in the right direction.”