Missouri Democrat Cori Bush has come to the defense of fellow ‘squad’ Democrat, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, ahead of a censure vote over Tlaib’s recent anti-Israel comments. Bush faced online pushback for her comments that invoked the memory of Rosa Parks on the anniversary of her famous arrest.
In a tweet on Friday, Bush quoted Parks, referencing her refusal to give up her bus seat on December 1, 1955, and her subsequent arrest that sparked the Civil Rights movement. The quote read, “People always say that I didn’t give up my seat because I was tired, but that isn’t true… No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in.” Bush added, “68 years ago, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus. We must continue to refuse to give in, in our fight for liberation.”
However, Bush’s comments were met with criticism, with many pointing out the differences between contemporary America and the America of the 1950s. Some questioned what rights Bush was claiming to be denied, while others suggested that she focus on addressing present-day issues facing her constituents.
Digital has reached out to Bush’s office for a response to the criticism. It is worth noting that Rosa Parks, an African-American seamstress and local activist, was 42 when she made her courageous stand against segregation on a Montgomery, Alabama public bus. At the time, Black bus riders were required to sit in the back of the bus and give up their seats to White riders if the front seats were filled, as mandated by a local Montgomery ordinance.
Parks’ act of defiance landed her in jail, but it also sparked a firestorm of action and attention that reshaped American history. On November 13, 1956, the U.S. Supreme Court declared Montgomery’s segregationist policies unconstitutional.
It is important to consider the context of this situation and the ongoing debate surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While Bush’s comments have generated controversy, they highlight the complex and deeply rooted issues that continue to divide opinions on this matter.
Kerry J. Byrne contributed to this report. Bradford Betz is a Digital breaking reporter covering crime, political issues, and much more. Stay tuned for the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews, and more political content.
