Clinton Praises Martin Luther King
NEW YORK CITY -- One week after Hillary Clinton was accused of making racially insensitive remarks regarding Martin Luther King's involvement in the Civil Rights movement, Clinton continued on with damage control.
She scheduled events in New York today that were aimed at targeting African-American voters, including a speaking engagement at King birthday rememberance hosted by a local labor union with a primarily black membership.
Clinton tried to calm tensions by speaking about the legacy of King and how he inspired her as a young woman.
"I remember hearing him speak when I went with my church into downtown Chicago to see and hear for myself someone who had burst through the stereotypes and the caricatures," Clinton said. "I sat there as a young girl transfixed and transformed."
Clinton did not attack Barack Obama during her speech but, rather, chose to include him in her remarks as someone who benefited like she from the Civil Rights movement.
"Both Senator Obama and I know that we are where we are today because of leaders like Dr. King and generations of men and women like all of you."
But Clinton's appearance was unevenly received by the crowd who clapped when she was introduced to the podium, though there were even some scattered boos. Clinton's reception paled in comparison to the crowd's reaction to her predecessor, a local preacher who took a standing ovation.
UPDATE: Later in the day, Clinton released a written statement regarding the King flap: "Over this past week, there has been a lot of discussion and back and forth - much of which I know does not reflect what is in our hearts."
"And at this moment, I believe we must seek common ground."
"Our party and our nation is bigger than this. Our party has been on the front line of every civil rights movement, women's rights movement, workers' rights movement, and other movements for justice in America."
"We differ on a lot of things. And it is critical to have the right kind of discussion on where we stand. But when it comes to civil rights and our commitment to diversity, when it comes to our heroes - President John F. Kennedy and Dr. King – Senator Obama and I are on the same side."
"And in that spirit, let's come together, because I want more than anything else to ensure that our family stays together on the front lines of the struggle to expand rights for all Americans."