Civil Rights Leaders and Advocacy Organizations Recognize November 1st as "Barack Obama Election Day"

To honor President Obama's legacy of civic participation, his achievements, and the historic nature of his presidency that collectively inspired millions of Americans to participate in the democratic process, civil rights leaders have asked all Americans--but African Americans in particular—to designate November 1st “Barack Obama Election Day,” and vote in the early voting states, or engage in public service. 

 On Obama Election Day, millions of Americans will get off the sidelines and either vote early to draw attention to the issues they care about, or engage in a day of public service as tributes to our democratic ideals and the Obama legacy. 

Through a coordinated effort engaging civil rights and community leaders, celebrities, activists, and voters across the country, Barack Obama Election Day will be a rallying point for community of the issues important in the community.

Although this “call to action” has sprung from the civil rights and African American community, this is a broad effort to engage a diverse coalition that will not only honor the Obama legacy of civic participation, but will also work to make communities better through civic engagement. 

"To paraphrase President Obama, in every election our justice system, economic future and the education of our children is on the ballot. We must stand up every time, vote and be heard,” said Reverend Al Sharpton.

“In this election cycle, we must make certain that President Obama's legacy of activism and change is not drowned out by other distractions." 

"Civil rights organizations will have a call to action around a set of economic, criminal justice, education and social justice issues, “ said National Urban League CEO Marc Morial. “No matter what your feelings are on this election, November 1st is the time to stand up and show you want to affect real change in this country by going to the ballot box—in the way President Obama has taught us for the last eight years.”

African-American organizations such as the National Urban League (NUL), and the National Action Network (NAN), will be collaborating in this effort in early voting states of Georgia, Wisconsin, Florida, Ohio, and North Carolina.

Martin Luther King III, one of the national co-chairs of the public service component of Barack Obama Election Day, said, "Our struggle to secure the right to vote has always been rooted in civil rights and civic participation. Encouraging public service to benefit the whole community has been a staple of demonstrating the universality of those rights. For at least one day a year, every four years, many Americans will follow the example set by the career of President Obama to continue the great tradition captured in the words of my father, ‘everybody can be great, because everybody can serve’ and realize his dream of a collective community.”

Another national co-chair of the public service component is Steve Cohen, Executive Vice President, CAO and General Counsel of MacAndrews & Forbes Incorporated. "Civic engagement is one of the most rewarding aspects of any society,” he said. “I look forward to engaging thousands of individuals in efforts big and small to help make their communities just a little bit better as a part of preserving President Obama's civic participation legacy. " Cohen also served as Secretary to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in addition to serving as his chief of staff when he was Attorney General. 

Peter Cunningham, friend of President Obama and former Assistant Secretary in the Obama Department of Education under Secretary Arne Duncan, is assisting in this effort as well. 

The organizations will focus on the issues of economic development and investing in minority communities, advancing criminal justice reform, advocating for greater education funding, and facilitating voter registration across the country.

"President Barack Obama deserves to be remembered for the policies that have improved this country," said Charlie King, the originator of Barack Obama Election Day, "but he should also be remembered every presidential election year for bringing hope to millions of voters that they can make a difference if they just get involved. Those who vote on November 1st will be voting to voice their opinion on the issues they care about—and honoring President Obama's legacy of civic duty in the process.

"Barack Obama Election Day will hopefully become a permanent part of the American democratic process, living on well after 2016 and cementing the legacy of President Barack Obama as an agent of change. With the work of the largest civil rights groups in the country, and with the help of some of the most influential political figures in the country, Barack Obama Election Day will emphasize just how important African American votes are—and how they can affect real change--every Presidential election cycle."

Source: Mercury