The Hip-Hop community,
generations deep, has mobilized to ensure that voters are not intimidated, misinformed
or deterred from voting in today’s election.
Veteran actor Ossie
Davis and Michael Holman, of ’80’s hip-hop show "Graffiti Rock," have
produced a public service announcement to prevent voter intimidation. Davis,
who was featured in the Spike Lee’s "Do The Right Thing," offered
a compelling testimonial on the reality of voter intimidation. [To watch Davis’ PSA, click here.]
Davis, said "In
the year 2000, there were political forces in Florida – and all over the South
– that tried to keep African Americans from voting. Cops were all around the
voting stations. Signs in Black neighborhoods made going to the polls sound
like going to jail. And that’s not all. In some places they tried to keep people
in line from voting, when closing time came. That’s against the law."
Also, Davis said
that opposing forces have tried to tell people erroneous information to stop
them from properly voting.
Agreeing, Questlove
(?Love) of The Roots accused some on the far Right of maliciously misleading
voters.
"Its gotten
so dirty that some Republicans have started handing out leaflets [pretending
to be] Democrats in the hood [saying], "Don’t forget Nov. 3 [as opposed
to Election Day Nov. 2]. They are playing dirty."
Davis, concurred,
"There’ll be new tricks this [year as well], like; telling us the election
is on November 3rd; or telling you you’re not registered when you know you are;
or your name is on some phony list, like we’re fools or something."
A recent report
in the Washington Post detailed early incidents of possible voter fraud. In
some places like Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, people received stationary
on county letterhead that stated "due to immense voter turnout expected
on Tuesday, the election has been extended."
The literature
urged Republicans to vote on Nov. 2 and Dems on Nov. 3.
Similar incidents
have occurred all over the nation according to a number of reports all of which
has prompted both political parties to hire scores of lawyers.
"In my 16
years as an election administrator, I’ve never seen anything like this,"
said Ion Sancho, supervisor of elections in Leon County, Fla. "I see it
as an expression of a political culture that has evolved in the United States
of win at any cost. It’s not partisan, but it’s just lie, cheat and steal, and
ethics be damned."
For those that
have any complications or feel that they have been disenfranchised out of voting,
or need immediate legal assistance, call 1-866-OUR-VOTE.[To watch Davis’ PSA, click here.]
