President Joe Biden Visits Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church to Mark Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday and Urges Nation to “Choose Democracy Over Autocracy

President Joe Biden made a historic visit to Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday to mark Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. Biden, who called King one of his “only political heroes” since entering public service, delivered remarks from the pulpit of the church, which King served as pastor until his assassination in 1968.

In his remarks, Biden said that democracy was at a perilous moment and that the civil rights leader’s life and legacy “show us the way and we should pay attention.” He also said that the current moment in American history is “the time of choosing” and urged the nation to “go forward, we go together, when we choose democracy over autocracy, a beloved community over chaos, when we choose believers and the dreams, to be doers, to be unafraid, always keeping the faith.”

Biden also referenced a question that King once asked of the nation: “Where do we go from here?” He noted that while democracy was thought to be settled, it was not for African Americans. He concluded his remarks by saying that “we should pay attention” to King’s life and legacy.

The visit marks the first time a sitting president has delivered a sermon from the historic church. Biden’s visit comes as the nation celebrates the legacy of King and his fight for civil rights. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of democracy and the need to continue to strive for a more just and equitable society.