Rep. Brent Calls for Legislative Action to Honor MLK's Legacy

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Juanita O. Brent (D-Cleveland) today released the following statement in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, calling for renewed legislative action to advance civil rights in Ohio.

“Dr. King’s work was radical, uncomfortable, and deeply necessary," said Rep. Brent. “I truly want to honor his legacy; we must look at how his dream is showing up-or failing to show up-in the legislation we pass. We cannot claim to revere Dr. King while simultaneously narrowing the window for absentee voting, ignoring the C.R.O.W.N. Act to protect Black Ohioans from hair discrimination, and allowing economic disparities to widen in our communities."

As ranking member of the House General Government Committee, Rep. Brent highlighted three specific areas where the spirit of MLK Day must be translated into legislative action this session:

• Protecting the Ballot Box: In the face of recent efforts to restrict absentee and early voting windows in Ohio, Rep. Brent calls for the expansion of voting access, echoing Dr. King's lifelong fight for the Voting Rights Act. 

"The most direct way to dishonor the Civil Rights Movement is to make it harder for Ohioans to vote," said Rep. Brent.

• Economic Dignity & Workers' Rights: Citing Dr. King’s work with the Poor People’s Campaign and his support for labor unions, Rep. Brent emphasized the need for "commonsense" economic policies. This includes protecting teen workers from exploitative hours and ensuring fair wages for Ohio's working families.    
• Passing the C.R.O.W.N. Act: Rep. Brent renewed her call for the passage of the C.R.O.W.N. Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair). 

"Dr. King preached that people should be judged by the content of their character," said Rep. Brent. "Yet in 2026, Black Ohioans can still be fired or sent home from school because of the texture of their hair. It is time to send this bill to the Governor's desk."