Kansas governor defies rule threatening to block singing of ‘Lift Every Voice’ at MLK gathering

Gov. Laura Kelly signs a proclamation honoring the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. during a Statehouse celebration for the late civil rights leader. In her remarks, she calls for a reawakening in the United States of the selfless ideals championed by King. (Photo by Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly wasn’t alone in questioning a rule that confined singing in the Capitol rotunda to the lunch hour and stood in the way of people eager to perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing” in honor of the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Topekan Beryl Ann New of the Kansas State Board of Education patiently explained to the crowd that a policy forbid singing under the dome outside the hours of noon to 1 p.m. And, she noted, the MLK program didn’t start until 1. That meant the poem written more than a century ago by American civil rights activist James Weldon Johnson that blossomed into a cherished song, frequently referred to as the “Black National Anthem,” would have to be spoken during the event.

“We are not allowed to sing it,” New said. “Many of you may be tempted to sing it, so please don’t sing it because we don’t want the marshals to come in an escort us out.”

That’s when the Democratic governor walked to the lectern, seized the microphone and declared: “I’m going to use my executive authority and … ”

Her voice was drowned out by applause, and the audience proceeded to roll through three stanzas of the song.

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Kelly, who is completing her second term as Kansas governor, said King famously said during his “I Have a Dream” speech on Aug. 28, 1963, in Washington, D.C., that he yearned for a time when the nation judged people by the content of their character rather than the color of their skin.

“As a pivotal leader in the American civil rights movement, he showed immense bravery and leadership in the face of adversity, presenting us a different pathway marked by decency and respect,” Kelly said. “His vision was bold. His message was clear. His work remains a guiding light for justice, for equality and for service to others.”

King was assassinated April 4, 1968. He was shot on the balcony of motel in Memphis, Tennessee. King’s final words were to musician Ben Branch, who was scheduled to perform that evening at an event. King requested “Take My Hand, Precious Lord,” and urged Branch to “play it real pretty.”

During the Kansas Capitol program, Kelly signed a proclamation honoring King’s life. She closed her remarks with an ominous warning about toxic politics.

“I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the dark times we are facing as a nation,” she said. “A time marked by hatred and divisiveness, where many leaders want to isolate and intimidate rather than unify and inspire. It’s difficult not to feel like Dr. King’s legacy is being erased.”

She said it was impossible to ignore the ways President Donald Trump worked to undermine national recognition of King. She said nonviolent collective action should be the response.

“This year,” Kelly said, “as we observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we find ourselves at a crossroads. While this is frightening and demoralizing, we are not powerless. You can choose to live in ways that promote unity and reject prejudice.”

Carolyn Wims-Campbell, a classmate and friend of Linda Brown, who was the namesake of the landmark Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education desegregation case, sat in the second row of seats in the Capitol rotunda directly behind the governor. She said she wouldn’t miss an opportunity to show respect for King’s legacy.

“I am here to honor the memory of a man who put his life in jeopardy and finally lost his life,” she said. “I think about his children and that he had said that one day they would be able to play in the parks with other children. Here, in Topeka, we had City Park for us Black folks.”

Rep. Susan Ruiz, D-Shawnee, said she celebrated King as a champion of nonviolent change because she understood the struggle Black people and others faced in their quest for civil liberties. Her father was an immigrant from Mexico, and her family experienced attempts by white people to marginalize them. Once, she said, they were asked to leave a restaurant in New Mexico because they were mistaken for American Indians would couldn’t be served there.

“The present administration … is hell-bent on getting rid of anybody who isn’t white. We are in it together,” she said. “The other piece about it is that we have to encourage young people. We need their energy for this fight.”

Sen. Pat Pettey, D-Kansas City, said King was a compelling leader who helped stir a nation to address inequality. He remained a beacon of hope for Americans, she said, and a role model for people working to find their voice.

Actions by politicians to back away from formal celebration of King’s legacy were harmful, the senator said.

“To even think about doing away with honoring him, I think, is not just a travesty against Black people, but to all of us,” Pettey said.