The Decision to Have Mike Huckabee Speak at an MLK Jr. Breakfast Has Drawn Outrage

Mike Huckabee, formerly the Governor of Arkansas, was quick to align himself with Donald Trump. His daughter, of course, served as one of Trump’s press secretaries. And in his deference to the former president, Huckabee often slandered the Black Lives Matter movement.

Still, the decision was made to have Huckabee be the keynote speaker at the Arkansas’ 2022 Annual MLK Interfaith Prayer Breakfast. And that choice has drawn outrage.

The Arkansas Democratic Black Caucus wrote in a letter, “Arkansas is very fortunate to have a Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission. At its best, this taxpayer-supported state agency is empowered to educate all Arkansans by amplifying the life and legacy of a great American minister and activist who helped advance the progress of racial equity in our country.

James Earl Ray was unavailable. https://t.co/M0eKs7MAHD

— Tea Pain (@TeaPainUSA) January 8, 2022

The message continued, “In this spirit, we write to express our deep disappointment and true outrage with the MLK Commission’s decision to select former Governor Mike Huckabee as guest speaker for the annual MLK Interfaith Prayer Breakfast on the King holiday, January 17, 2022 at the Governor’s Mansion.”

The letter closed:

“During his 2016 presidential campaign, Mr. Huckabee attacked Black Lives Matter, erroneously stating that the movement ‘elevates some lives over others’ and claiming that Dr. King would be ‘appalled by the movement.’ His out-of-touch comment was quickly denounced by Martin Luther King III who insisted that his father would embrace the movement and would ‘be very proud of young people standing up to promote truth, justice and equality.”