The Quest for Democracy Continues

They came bearing arms, the kind El Hajj Malik spoke of in his speech about the power of the electoral vote-- ballots as bullets. For millions of Americans, citizenship rights are tied to punishment-- break the law and lose one's right to vote forever. However, for Desmond Mead, Florida Rights Restoration Coalition and Norris Henderson, Voice of the Experienced -- New Orleans, their campaigns to re-enfranchise men and women who'd pay their debt to society in a climate where judicial systems still wanted its pound of flesh was a power move. Their successful moves brought them to California to educate other grassroots organizers on the strategies employed to make voter restoration possible throughout the country.

Florida Rights Restoration Coalition and Voice of the Experienced changed the language of unjust laws last election which meant millions of people in those two states can now participate in this democracy. The victory was bittersweet because all citizens cannot vote, people with murder convictions and child molestation convictions were a legislative compromise, Mead said.

Voting or participation in one's community is a deterrent to crime another panelist, Taina Vargas-Edmond stated. Her organization, Initiate Justice, has a report coming out next month, that queried incarcerated persons about voting rights and what it would mean to vote and if they had voted prior to incarceration. 98 percent answered affirmatively, that yes, they would vote given the opportunity. Daurus Cyprian, Senior Organizer for All Of Us Or None, spoke of how since his release two years ago, he cannot vote until his five year probation ends. Though he pays taxes, he cannot say who spends the money or where it money goes. This country was founded on the notion, "no taxes without representation."

Dorsey Nunn, Executive Director, Legal Services for Prisoners with Children shared his experience in Florida this fall at The Formerly Incarcerated and Convicted People and Families Movement Conference where everyone went out and registered people to vote, canvased neighborhoods, and used multimedia marketing strategies to get the word out about the ballot initiative to give people their rights back. It was an overwhelmingly successful campaign.

Meade echoed Dr. King, It was love in action.

He said when talking about the broad base of support for changing the law; "People came out for the ones they love. It's hard to defeat love. We used love. Love was our secret sauce."

Here is a link to the Live Stream: https://www.facebook.com/AOUON/videos/279902496019306/

Tamara Rasberry, Assistant to Secretary of State, Alex Padilla, was present and spoke about a Restore Your Vote Initiative. The website is www.sos.ca.gov or call 800.345-VOTE (8683).