The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for January 19, 2026
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Years before the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke on the Brown vs. Board of Education decision during the Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom at the Lincoln Memorial, May 17th, 1957. As the U.S. Supreme Court seems poised to strike down more of the VRA in 2026, his words are still relevant today.
[The ADM audio has been edited for time. Listen to the full speech at the The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change and read the transcription at the Stanford’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute]
“The legislative halls of the South ring loud with such words as ‘interposition’ and ‘nullification.’
But even more, all types of conniving methods are still being used to prevent Negroes from becoming registered voters. The denial of this sacred right is a tragic betrayal of the highest mandates of our democratic tradition. And so our most urgent request to the president of the United States and every member of Congress is to give us the right to vote.
Give us the ballot, and we will no longer have to worry the federal government about our basic rights.
Give us the ballot, and we will no longer plead to the federal government for passage of an anti-lynching law; we will by the power of our vote write the law on the statute books of the South (All right) and bring an end to the dastardly acts of the hooded perpetrators of violence.”
We’ve linked the full speech at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change – Audio of Dr. King delivering “Give Us the Ballot” on May 17, 1957 at the Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute, Stanford University – Transcription of the “Give Us the Ballot” Address
Brennan Center for Justice – Voter Suppression
The Fulcrum – Trump Targets Voting Rights and Suppresses Voting
NAACP Legal Defense Fund – Louisiana v. Callais
Library of Congress – A Time for Freedom documentary (Dr. King speaks at 24:04)
Groups Taking Action:
Southern Poverty Law Center, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, ACLU, Campaign Legal Center
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
Please follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Are you a radio station? Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX
#News #Democracy #DemocracyNews #MLKDay #DrMartinLutherKingJr #GiveUstheBallot #VotingRightsAct #BrownvBoardofEducation