The California State Assembly on Jan. 6, 2025, adopted Assembly Concurrent Resolution 7, a nonbinding measure commemorating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the chamber’s presiding officer announced during floor session in Sacramento. The resolution drew speakers from Democratic and Republican members and was adopted by voice vote after the clerk added 66 coauthors.

Supporters said the resolution honors King’s work for civil rights, workers and racial equity and urged members to carry forward that legacy. "He believed in reparations and repair. He believed in dignity," Assembly member Brian said as he presented the measure.

ACR 7 generated support across caucuses representing Jewish, Latino, Black, Asian American and Pacific Islander, LGBTQ and women's communities, and a range of speakers recounted King’s influence on coalition building and nonviolent protest. "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter," Assembly member El Hawara said, quoting King, while Assembly member Bauer Kehan described interfaith solidarity and ties between Jewish leaders and the civil rights movement. Assembly member Celeste Rodriguez noted King’s influence on Latino leaders including Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta.

Not all remarks were uniformly celebratory in tone. Assembly member De Maio urged lawmakers to emphasize the progress achieved since King’s era and warned against messaging that, in his view, could portray racism as ubiquitous. "I think that's a falsehood. It is a corrosive falsehood," De Maio said, adding his view that pointing to broad progress helps consign racism to an "extremist exception."

After debate ended, the clerk opened and closed the roll for coauthors; 66 members were recorded as coauthors. The chamber then took a voice vote. "The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted," the presiding officer announced.

The resolution is ceremonial and does not create new law or funding. Other business during the same session included guest introductions and several adjournments in memory, but ACR 7 was the principal substantive action related to civil-rights commemoration on the Jan. 6 floor.

Members who spoke on the measure emphasized different elements of King’s legacy — civil and human rights, workers’ rights, nonviolence and interfaith solidarity — and urged continuing work on equity and inclusion across the state.