by: Anthony Corona
He began by invoking the spirit of “good trouble,” and concluded with a fervent call to action. Senator Cory Booker’s historic 25-hour and 5-minute speech on the Senate floor was not merely an exercise in endurance; it was a profound testament to the urgency of our times—a moral alarm bell sounding against policies and actions that are tearing at the fabric of our democracy and threatening the American way of life.
Blind LGBT Pride International stands in solidarity with Senator Booker, applauding his unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and the very soul of this nation.
In surpassing the previous record held by Senator Strom Thurmond—who infamously filibustered the Civil Rights Act of 1957—Senator Booker not only etched his name into the annals of Senate history but symbolically overturned a dark chapter of obstructionism rooted in hate and injustice. As Booker reflected: “I’m here because as powerful as he was, the people were more powerful.” That is the essence of the American dream—ordinary people standing together to demand a better future.
Throughout his impassioned address, Senator Booker laid bare the profound consequences of recent executive actions and policy proposals—decisions that place corporate interests over human dignity, silence voters, jeopardize the retirement security of millions, and marginalize the very workers who keep this country running. “These are not normal times in our nation,” he warned. “The threats to the American people and American democracy are grave and urgent, and we all must do more to stand against them.”
He spoke of farmers struggling under unfair subsidies that reward the largest agribusinesses while small family farms go under. Of migrant workers who harvest the food on our tables while being vilified, underpaid, and denied pathways to citizenship. He read aloud letters from Americans fearing the erosion of Social Security—our most basic promise to generations who have labored with the expectation of dignity in retirement. Booker reminded us of a nation where the right to vote is under siege—from voter ID laws designed to suppress marginalized communities to the gutting of the Voting Rights Act that once stood as a proud achievement of bipartisan courage.
These aren’t isolated actions. They are part of a deliberate dismantling of the pillars that uphold the American dream. “We cannot allow ourselves to become numb,” Booker urged. “We must not let injustice become normalized or our silence become complicity.”
He also highlighted the administration’s attempts to roll back protections for LGBTQIA+ individuals, including the ban on transgender Americans serving in the military—a move Booker termed “deplorable and despicable.” Such actions not only undermine the rights of LGBTQIA+ citizens but also erode the inclusive values that define our nation.
Moreover, Booker addressed the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, condemning budget cuts that threaten essential services and accessibility. He emphasized that neglecting the needs of disabled Americans is a betrayal of our collective responsibility to ensure equality and dignity for all.
Blind LGBT Pride International echoes this urgent call to action. While few can command the Senate floor for over 25 hours, each of us possesses the capacity to contribute meaningfully. Whether through sharing Senator Booker’s message, contacting our representatives, or showing up in our communities, our collective voice is a force that cannot be ignored.
Let us be clear: Executive orders have been signed that undermine environmental protections, defund diversity and inclusion initiatives, and roll back protections for transgender Americans. Policy decisions are endangering reproductive rights, sabotaging affordable healthcare, and prioritizing tax breaks for the wealthy over basic human services.
This is not the American way. The America we believe in is a place where everyone—regardless of race, disability, gender identity, or zip code—has the right to dream, to vote, to retire with dignity, and to be heard. That is the America that Senator Booker stood up for—for over a day straight.
We invite you to join Blind LGBT Pride International in our mission to illuminate truth and champion equality. Visit us at www.bpi.gay. Whether you can offer time, resources, or simply your voice, your involvement is invaluable.
Let us honor Senator Booker’s courage—not just with applause, but with action. Let’s rise together in good trouble, and strive toward the nation envisioned not only in our founding documents but in the hearts of all who dare to dream of liberty and justice for all. Because the difference a single day can make…is the difference between silence and resistance, between apathy and action. Let us choose action.
For more information about the speech and the Senator’s political positions, you may access the resources below. Note: The following links will take you to other websites.
For a visual summry, you can watch a summary of Senator Booker’s speech from the Associated Press.
You can also watch the full opening remarks of the speech from Senator Booker’s Senate page.
View the highlights of the historic 25-hour speech here.
Learn more about Senator Booker’s political positions from this Wikipedia article.
Anthony Corona
He/Him
Host and Producer of Sunday edition
For more information about Sunday Edition, contact Anthony at sundayeditionac@gmail.com.
To know more about Blind LGBT Pride International, visit bpi.gay or send a message to media@blindlgbtpride.org.