Civil Rights activist and television/radio talk show host Rev. Al Sharpton will kick off a series of state-wide voter education drives beginning in Orlando on Thursday.
Sharpton, founder of the National Action Network, a leading civil rights organization in the country, will meet with elected officials, local leaders, and members of the clergy to conduct workshops on Florida’s new voter elections laws, including new voter identification requirements.
Speaking to West Orlando News Online Monday, Sharpton said it is critical that voters are mobilized with the right information so that they are able to cast their vote when the time comes.
Responding to efforts currently underway in Florida to suppress the vote, Sharpton said, “I think that one of the ways they are going to suppress the vote is if we are not prepared and informed with proper voter identifications.”
Sharpton said the only way to stop voter suppression is to fight back.
“We are going to be on the ground in Florida annd we are covering the state,” he said. “We are not looking for a date. We are coming for a marriage and we are going to be all over Florida until this is done.”
Commenting particularly on the contempt charges brought by Republican Rep. Darrell Issa against Attorney General Eric Holder in that he somehow withheld information with regard to the ‘Fast and Furious’ case, Sharpton said its a political witch hunt.
“It is an effort to smear him (AG Holder) and neutralize him if in fact there is a stalemate in the general election outcomes, and its baseless,” Sharpton said. “…We are not asking them to give him a pass, we are asking them to deal fairly.” He added that the Attorney General has been cooperative in providing the requisite information.
Sharpton, along with other members of NAN will hold the first workshop at the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Eatonville on Thursday, June 28th. This would be followed by a rally and service at which Sharpton will deliver the message, at the same venue.
God Bless you Rev. Sharpton and all members of NAN
Thank you Rev. Sharpton for all your work. I was thinking about an idea for the Voter Registration. What if individuals or groups wear a button stating something like “R U Voter Ready with IDs for Tues. 11/6/12?” in red, white and blue color? This will be a conversation ice breaker, particularly in D.C. where I am where there are citizens from all over.
Carolyn Crittendon
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