RFK Jr. echoes father's call for unity in speech at Alabama, nearly 60 years later – WVUA 23

By WVUA 23 News Reporter Peyton Newman

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited the University if Alabama Wednesday to tout his reasons why he is running for U.S. president as an independent candidate.

Lifelong Tuscaloosa resident and UA Alumna Kay Reyes watched Robert F. Kennedy Sr. speak on UA’s campus 56 years ago. She met RFK Sr. and attended Wednesday’s event in hopes of meeting his son. RFK Jr. is the fourth Kennedy to run for president.

Kennedy’s speech focused on appealing to college students, presenting policy changes on their key issues such as loans and reinstating the “American Dream”.  More so, he wanted to connect with students. He made a joke about himself saying he personally sued Trump twice, “successfully” he added. That caused the reception hall to erupt in laughter.

Given that youth voter turnout has been steadily increasing, attendees thought his move to campuses was strategic for his campaign.

“It’s very much an election that will be decided by the youth vote,” Nolan Adam, UA freshman, said. “And, I think it’s great that he’s including college campuses and the fresh, young, new opinions.”

After Kennedy’s stop on campus, students said they wanted more political events, like this one, in the future.

“Our campus body is able to engage with politics from all different perspectives,” said UA Junior Hannah Adams. “You know, we hosted the Republican debate here at UA and that was such a great way for people to see democracy in action. So, now RFK Jr. getting to come to campus too.”

RFK Sr. spoke on UA’s campus on March 21, 1968. His speech focused national reconciliation. Below is part of his speech at UA from 1968.

“I have come here because our great nation is troubled, divided as never before in our history; divided by a difficult, costly war abroad and by a bitter, destructive crisis at home; divided by our age, by our beliefs, by the color of our skin. I have come here because I seek to join with you in building a better country and a united country. And I come to Alabama because I need your help.”

“For this campaign, in this critical election year, must be far more than a matter of political organization, of courting and counting votes.”

“This election will mean nothing if it leaves us, after it is all over, as divided as we were when it began. We have to begin to put our country together again. So I believe that any who seek high office this year must go before all Americans: not just those who agree with them, but also those who disagree; recognizing that it is not just our supporters, not just those who vote for us, but all Americans, who we must lead in the difficult years ahead.”

-kn