Why Our Voices Matter

Throughout history, many individuals have used their voices to inspire change and challenge injustice, proving the power of speaking out. Martin Luther King Jr. used his voice to deliver his famous “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington in 1963, calling for an end to racial segregation and discrimination, which helped advance the Civil Rights Movement. Malala Yousafzai used her voice to bravely speak out for the right of education for girls. After surviving an attack by the Taliban, her powerful speech at the United Nations inspired global support for equal access to schooling. She has a fund named after her, the malala fund, which has assisted over 26 million students through advocacy, grants, and partner agencies. Susan B. Anthony used her voice to fight for women’s suffrage, giving speeches across the United States and even getting arrested for voting illegally in 1872, which drew attention to the injustice of denying women the right to vote. Her work paved the way for the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, also sometimes called the Susan B. Anthony Amendment. These activists show that when people use their voices with courage and determination, they can spark movements and create lasting change.

In the present day, speaking out is especially important. Currently, in Minnesota, recent immigration enforcement actions and acts of violence have sparked multiple protests, public outrage, and calls for accountability. These events have prompted the American public to speak out, demanding transparency, justice, and safer policies, which shows how collective voices can pressure institutions to respond and change. Because of how widespread the events in Minnesota have become, protests have been happening across the entire country and globally. The increased volume has caused the “Border Czar” Tom Homan to announce that 700 ICE agents will be leaving Minnesota immediately. The outcry of public support has also led to the exposure of ICE’s illegal actions and procedures when dealing with immigration cases, such as their mishandling of five year old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Conejo Ramos. When the pictures and story of Ramos' arrest and the detaining of him and his son reached the national media, the backlash forced the DHS to let the duo go. This case is just one example of what happens when people raise concerns and share information responsibly. They can help bring attention to serious issues that might otherwise be ignored, such as ICE’s illegal actions. In times like these, speaking up is not just a right - it is a responsibility that defends human dignity and helps push society toward fairness and accountability.