View short video 2:49 at YouTube
EXCLUSIVE
NC NAACP UNVEILS “MILLIONS VOTING MARCH”
By Cash Michaels
Special from The Carolinian Newspaper in Raleigh
[RALEIGH] As part of an unprecedented, statewide nonpartisan early get-out-to-vote effort that honors the civil rights legacies that have built the foundation for this historic election year, NC NAACP Pres. Rev. William Barber II has unveiled plans for the Oct. 16th “Millions Voting March” (MVM).
The project will be formally endorsed by newly-appointed national NAACP President/CEO Benjamin Jealous during a press conference Friday, Oct. 10 at the 65th Annual NAACP State Convention in Raleigh.
“In this season of epic political consequence and history, Rev. Barber says, “I have but one message for those who seek justice and equity, and that is, you better vote.”
“Considering its only been forty-three years since the blood, sweat and tears of courageous civil rights pioneers - black and white - saturated the soil of our democracy, and produced the 1965 Voting Rights Act, my message to every African-American and person concerned about justice, the serious issues confronting us, and the future of our state and nation is, you better vote.”
“This is why we need to embrace the notion,” Rev. Barber continued, “of the Millions Voting March.”
On Oct. 16,the first day of the One Stop Early Voting and same-day registration period in North Carolina prior to the Nov. 4 general election, local organizers in counties across the state from Murphy to Manteo, in the spirit of the Millions Voting March, will mobilize African-American and other people/communities of conscience to either march, carpool or church vanpool en masse to their local county Boards of Election or satellite early-voting locations to cast their ballots.
Not only is the inspiration for the Millions Voting March on Oct. 16th the commemoration of the proud legacies of past civil rights triumphs like the 43rd anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery March (March 7th, 1965); the 45th anniversary of the March on Washington (August 28th, 1963); and the thirteenth anniversary of the historic “Million Man March” (October 16th, 1995),” Rev. Barber says, but also the leadership of historic icons like Mrs. Rosa Parks, the “mother of the civil rights movement”; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who delivered his stirring “I Have a Dream” speech 45 years ago; and other civil and human rights pioneers that, through their courage, vision, leadership and sacrifice, laid the critical foundation that made this historic election year possible.
It is in the memory of their sacrifice and service that on Millions Voting March Day, not only will thousands of elderly citizens, college students, church goers, educators, public housing residents, business people, clergy, shift workers, mothers with children, and whomever else that can join in the march or caravan come together and vote on the first day of One Stop Early Voting, but out of honor and respect for the historic legacy that they represent, elderly voters, escorted by college students into their local Board of Election or satellite voting location, will be given the privilege of voting first.
Rev. Barber says many older voters never thought they would live to see the day that they would participate in such an historic election. The fact that a younger African-American voter is proudly assisting their elder to cast that ballot is dramatic, historic, poignant and a moment of pride for the entire community statewide.
“We, in our own time, can pay homage to the March on Washington, the Selma to Montgomery March, and the Million Man March in a way that will bring engagement with and evolution of the political process,” Rev. Barber said.
The “Millions Voting March” on Oct. 16 is a statewide nonpartisan community effort, spearheaded by the NC NAACP, which will partner with members of the Historic Thousands on Jones Street Coalition, member newspapers of the NC Black Press, churches, fraternities, sororities and many other civic and community-based organizations.
The project is already being applauded by leaders across the state like Durham Mayor William Bell, who called it “great” and “important”; and Bob Hall, executive director of the nonpartisan Democracy North Carolina, who said, “ It is a fabulous concept and the proposal is inspired and inspiring. I especially like the theme of generations coming together, young helping old, old teaching young, respect for the long struggle and taking to next level.”
Even Benjamin Jealous, the newly appointed president/CEO of the national NAACP, who will be in Raleigh Friday Oct. 10 to deliver the keynote address during the NC NAACP Convention Membership Luncheon at the North Raleigh Hilton, will be expressing his support for the MVM during an 11:30 a.m. press conference.
The ultimate goal, Rev. Barber says, in a year where voter registration rolls in North Carolina, particularly in the African-American community, have grown dramatically thanks to the historic presidential election, is to inspire African-Americans and others to emulate the Millions Voting March statewide, and even nationally, throughout the One Stop Early Voting/same-day registration period of Oct. 16 through Saturday, November 1.
Barber says it is also important for local organizers of the Millions Voting March to make sure that voters are acquainted with sample ballots from the counties, cities or towns, so that they understand how to cast their votes for president, state and local officials.
In many areas, for example, the slate for judicial candidates will be located on the back of the ballot, and important fact all voters need to know.
“North Carolina, the only state in the South with same-day registration and voting, needs to start a movement on Oct. 16th, and send a spark around the nation,” Rev. Barber says. “The ability to vote has never been more accessible and available.”
“This is the time that civil rights organizations, civic organizations, churches and others in our community, in a nonpartisan way, can move en mass to exercise that precious right to vote our forbearers sacrificed so much for.”
For more information about the Millions Voting March and how you an your group can take part, there will be an MVM Leadership Conference Call with Rev. Barber and others Sunday, October 5rd at 9:30 p.m.
To participate Sunday evening, call 1-800-369-0860, code 130453#.
After Friday, call the NC NAACP at 866-NC NAACP (866-626-227) or 919-682-4700, or visit the website at www.naacpnc.org for more information.
Voter registration in North Carolina ends Friday, Oct. 10.
Persons 18 or older (or if you will be age 18 by November 4) who are citizens of the United States, and have resided in a North Carolina community for at least thirty days prior to the next election, may register to vote.
Ex-felons who have served their time, including probation or parole, automatically have their voting rights restored, and can also register to vote.
If an eligible person misses the Oct. 10 registration deadline, they can both register and vote on the same-day starting Thursday, Oct. 16 through Saturday, November 1 at either their county Board of Elections, or satellite One Stop Early Voting site.
All county Boards of Elections will conduct One-Stop voting during normal business hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25, and also from 9 a.m. until 1pm on the last Saturday (November 1st) prior to Election Day.
Check with your local Board of Elections for specific times at various satellite locations in your area.
If you register and vote during this period, you will be required to bring some form of ID proving your name and place of residence.
If you are already registered to vote, but haven’t voted in several past elections, you can check your current voting status by going online to your local Board of Elections, or to www.2008ElectionConnection.com/ for that, and any other NC election information you may need.
View short video 2:49 at YouTube
