Cory Booker visits Memphis
“You may think your life isn’t touched by politics. But it touches you every single day. Democracies decline because of the indifference of populations,” U.S. Sen. Cory Booker said. “And we have to start becoming more engaged and aware and helping to shape our government and our priorities in government.” (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., delivered the commencement address to graduates of the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law on Saturday, May 10, telling them to broaden their definition of politics to include service as well as involvement in issues.
“A lot of people say they don’t want to deal with politics. But the reality is democracy commands it,” Booker told The Daily Memphian in an exclusive interview before the ceremony at the Orpheum Theatre. “The only way that we benefit is by more engagement. Bad people are elected. Bad things happen when good people don’t vote, when people don’t engage.”
Booker came to the Memphis Saturday, May 10, fresh from calling for the release of Newark, New Jersey, Mayor Ras Baraka from jail there for allegedly trespassing at a federal immigration detention center.
This is an excerpt of this story. To read more, please click here and subscribe.
Topics
Cory Booker University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law Marsha Blackburn Subscriber OnlyAre you enjoying your subscription?
Your subscription gives you unlimited access to all of The Daily Memphian’s news, written by nearly 40 local journalists and more than 20 regular freelancers. We work around the clock to cover the issues that impact your life and our community.
You can help us reach more Memphians.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we provide free news access at K-12 schools, public libraries and many community organizations. We also reach tens of thousands of people through our podcasts, and through our radio and television partnerships – all completely free to everyone who cares about Memphis.
When you subscribe, you get full access to our news. But when you donate, you help us reach all Memphians.
Pay it forward. Make a fully tax-deductible donation to The Daily Memphian today.
Thank you for reading the local news. Thank you for investing in our community.
Bill Dries on demand
Never miss an article. Sign up to receive Bill Dries' stories as they’re published.
Enter your e-mail address
Bill Dries
Bill Dries covers city and county government and politics. He is a native Memphian and has been a reporter for almost 50 years covering a wide variety of stories from the 1977 death of Elvis Presley and the 1978 police and fire strikes to numerous political campaigns, every county mayor and every Memphis Mayor starting with Wyeth Chandler.
Want to comment on our stories or respond to others? Join the conversation by subscribing now. Only paid subscribers can add their thoughts or upvote/downvote comments. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.