White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Monday sparked backlash on social media over her Martin Luther King Jr. Day message.
Sanders tweeted that the U.S. honors King, “a great American who gave his life to right the wrong of racial inequality.”
“Our country is better thanks to his inspiration and sacrifice,” she wrote.
Today we honor a great American who gave his life to right the wrong of racial inequality. Our country is better thanks to his inspiration and sacrifice #MLKDay pic.twitter.com/wWYdNWtGuy
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) January 21, 2019
But Twitter users were quick to point out that King was assassinated and criticized Sanders for her use of the phrase ”gave his life.” James Earl Ray was convicted of assassinating King in 1968 in Memphis.
"Apparently, MLK volunteered to be murdered,” wrote Cory Provost, a district leader for New York’s 58th Assembly District.
Apparently, #MLK volunteered to be murdered. https://t.co/WCnpUBlQLP
— cory provost (@coryprovost) January 21, 2019
“Martin Luther King would have fought with every drop of blood in his body against you and your overlord,” wrote attorney and activist Rabia O’Chaudry.
Martin Luther King would have fought with every drop of blood in his body against you and your overlord. You are a disgrace to everything he stood for. https://t.co/IVCGuvoM5b
— rabia O'chaudry (@rabiasquared) January 21, 2019
He was murdered, Sarah https://t.co/qX3n1RNtZd
— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) January 21, 2019
Today we honor a man who was killed for speaking truth to power and encouraging others to believe in a better and more equal world.
— Geek Girl Diva (@geekgirldiva) January 21, 2019
Fixed it for ya. https://t.co/mMvYTdkuKF
He didn't "give" his life, you bird. It was taken from him by a white racist. Shut up. https://t.co/heevNcibex
— Monique Judge (@thejournalista) January 21, 2019
"Gave his life" is a weird way to write "murdered by a white supremacist in coordination with the feds" https://t.co/QxSK1Aog3e
— Free Mumia, Free Them All (@jaybeware) January 21, 2019
He was assassinated by a racist and if he were alive today you would have "both sided" him but sure. https://t.co/VYBD31u9ao
— Wajahat Ali (@WajahatAli) January 21, 2019
The Hill has reached out to Sanders for comment.
President Trump
Donald John TrumpCould Donald Trump and Boris Johnson be this generation's Reagan-Thatcher? Merkel backs Democratic congresswomen over Trump How China's currency manipulation cheats America on trade MORE marked Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a surprise visit to the memorial in Washington, D.C., honoring the slain civil rights leader. Reports said the visit, during which Trump and Vice President Pence laid a wreath, lasted less than two minutes.
-Updated 4:50 p.m.
