Get Out the Vote in Buncombe County
Oct. 29 “Roll to the Polls” press conference
& voting march to West Asheville Library & chili at the Hub:
“Our voices will not be stolen nor our voter rights denied”
ASHEVILLE, NC – On Wednesday, October 29 at 4:30 p.m., community leaders from across Western North Carolina will hold a press conference at the Kairos West Community Center and Social Justice Reading Room, 742 Haywood Road before leading a march to early vote at the West Asheville Branch Library.
“Our message is simple: our vote is our voice, and we have no intention of letting our votes be stolen through voter suppression tactics,” said James Lee a community leader and event organizer.
The press conference will feature the following speakers:
James Lee, James Lee Enterprises will speak briefly about the history of voting rights; and
Sheneika Smith of Date My City will provide a rallying call for getting out the vote and lead the march to the poll.
Some of the organizations represented are: The Baptist Ministers' Union of Asheville and Surrounding Counties, The Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Asheville and Vicinity, and Christians for a United Community.
Roll to polls: After the press conference, voters will march from the Kairos West Community Center and Social Justice Reading Room to the West Asheville Branch Library at 942 Haywood Road. Transportation will be provided for those who do not wish to walk. We encourage people who have already voted to bring two friends who have yet to vote and walk in solidarity and celebration with them. Soul singer Kat Williams will serenade the marchers in celebration of voting rights.
Free chili at the Hub: After voting, we invite the community to enjoy free chili at the Hub, 278 Haywood Road, featuring Cooking with Comedy Catering by Clarence Robinson.
We welcome all Buncombe County community members, faith-based and non-faith based, to participate in rolling to the polls. Early voting runs from Oct. 23 to Nov. 1.
Nearly fifty years since the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and issues of voter suppression are still alive. Analyses of the 2008 election in North Carolina showed that the black and student vote were critical to the election of Barack Obama and local leaders in Buncombe County. After the 2010 election sweep, voter suppression rules followed. We now have fewer days of early voting (10 instead of 17); no same day registration; no out-of-precinct voting on election day; and no pre-registration of 16 and 17-year-olds.
#END#
Join us on Facebook
