He Yields the Floor to Us
After 25 hours, Senator Cory Booker has yielded the floor to the people.
Today, we witnessed history. As I write these words, Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey has yielded the floor after 25 hours and four minutes, shattering the previous record held by Strom Thurmond.
The contrast could not be more stark. Strom Thurmond filibustered in opposition to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1957. Cory Booker, the first Black U.S. Senator from New Jersey, rose to make a plea for justice.
One stood for 24 hours in hate:
the other stood for over 24 hours in love.
One speech called for division:
the other called for unity.
One championed segregation:
the other for the idea that all people are equal.
Hate and love. Division and unity. Segregation and equality.
Throughout his speech, again and again he repeated the words, “I believe the power of the people is greater than the people in power.”
Words such as these bear repeating: “I believe the power of the people is greater than the people in power.”
I think it is no coincidence that he chose the week of a nationwide protest to take this stand—to call us, the people, to a vision that extends beyond hate. His words were a rallying cry, an alarm to the American people to rise up. But not in hate. Fear is insufficient to bind us together through the obstacles we must face. Instead, Senator Booker called us to forge a fresh vision for America, one of unity and hope.
At 8:05 PM he yielded the floor. When he did, he yielded it to us, the people.
For too long we have contented ourselves with scraps while corporations have gorged themselves on the fruit of our labor. For too long have they shamed us for accepting Social Security and Medicaid all while they raked in tax breaks to pad their bottom line. We’ve been told to pay our fair share while they have written laws so they could avoid paying anything at all. Their expanding portfolios have been at the expense of our diminishing health. Their ledgers are written in the ink of our blood.
No more.
We have the floor. The Capitol is hallowed only because we make it so. It holds no power beyond that which we would extend to it. So today, we the people, must take whatever space we have and stand.
Perhaps the floor you have is a classroom where you shape the lives of children.
Take the floor.
It may be a warehouse where you package goods to be shipped across our nation.
Take the floor.
Your hallowed space may be in a hospital where you care for the sick.
Take the floor.
Even a kitchen where you prepare chicken nuggets for your toddler can be sacred ground.
Take the floor.
Take the floor, America, and rise. Cry out, “No more.”
Past is the time to wait for others. Now is the time for you to stand.
And listen, I know you may be scared. So am I. But, as Senator Booker reminded us, we cannot afford for our fear to immobilize us. It must be a catalyst for courage, for action, for strength. Though our voices might tremble, we must speak. Though our hands may shake, we must act.
Saturday, April 5 is a nationwide day of action. Across the nation in over 900 sites (view the map and list), millions of us can rise together. Will you be among them? If you are able, I hope you will.
His parting words were a call. “Let’s get in some good trouble.”
Take the floor.
If you can, GO. If your cannot, SUPPORT.
Find information about the April 5th protests HERE.
Ms.Starling, you came up with the perfect follow-up phrase: he yields the floor to all of us. What a gift to witness such a historical and soul-deep historical moment.
I had my phone on for most of the 25 hours. I fell asleep to him talking, and I woke up to him talking. All day, I listened. Sometimes I cried. He was amazing! He would make an AMAZING president! THANK YOU, CORY, FOR STANDING UP FOR OUR COUNTRY!