as possible, you know, that need to be solved and to not allow, you know, the
spirit of our country to be damaged any further. So I pray that we all utilize
our right, you know, get active out there, make sure that it's not taken for
granted, that people know how to get registered, that they are, you know, in
a position where, you know, come, come to fall, that we are in a position that
everybody is at the polls and everybody is using their rights to vote. So get the
word out there, get active, and let's make our voice be heard. Thank you.
I just want to thank Steph for such a powerful and timely message. Thank you,
Jim. Thank you, Dr. Skinner. I have the honor of serving as President of
Sojourners, a Christian peace and justice organization that is a proud co-leader
of the face United to save democracy campaign. My parents instilled in me the
belief that my generation generation acts and subsequent generations inherited
the unfinished business of the civil rights struggle. It has been sobering to
realize that protecting the sacred right to vote has once again become an
essential part of that unfinished business. Last spring, I had the profound
privilege of walking across the Edmond Pettus Bridge and meeting with Linda
Blackman-Laurie, the youngest marcher who was brutalized on Bloody Sunday. She
impressed upon me and our group that we must finish what she started. On the
birthday of the modern-day prophet and my beloved fraternity brother, Reverend
Dr. Moither King Jr. I'm reminded of our fraternity's voter registration motto,
which is a voteless people is a hopeless people. Dr. King understood that voting
is literally essential to securing every other right that we hold dear. Voting is
our voice. It is our agency. It is how we exercise our righteous power. Through the
face United to save democracy campaign, we are working together to build the
kind of bold and broad, nonpartisan, multiracial, multifaith and yes,
intergenerational coalition that is needed at a time in which voting and our
democracy are indeed under assault. The book of Proverbs reminds us that where
their lacks vision to people perish. In my companion to that timeless wisdom is
that where their lack strategy campaigns so often perish. But the good news is that
we have a clear and powerful strategy in the face United campaign that is
broken into four phases. The first phase focuses on voter registration, which you'll
hear more about in this time together. It also focuses on what's at stake in a
selection and trying to ensure that everyone knows what their rights are.
While many state laws have or confusing to vote, we must convince everyone that
they can still exercise this sacred right. The second phase goes through April and
includes a we are watching component in which we will be organizing meetings with
senior election officials, including secretaries of state, to hold them
accountable for conducting free, fair and safe elections in states all across the
country. The third phase runs from May through September and will focus on
mobilizing and motivating voters, particularly young voters. We will also be
recruiting and training poll chaplains to provide a moral presence at polling
sites, including through de-escalation train agent. And in the fourth and final
phase, we will finalize our voting mobilization plans. We will also be
vigilant in pushing back against any evidence of voter suppression or even of
election subversion in the election itself. Yes, we cannot afford to be
complacent or cautious. Anti-democratic forces are emboldened by people's
cynicism and their fat fatigue. And so together, through face united to save
democracy, we will generate the fierce urgency of now to protect the right to
vote, to save our democracy as a sacred cause and a faith imperative.
We just heard four amazing messages from Jim Wallace who reminded us that the
image of God is at stake in this election and our dignity and that image
are what we're protecting in vulnerable voters. We thank you, Jim, for getting
Steph Curry to give us that message that we are responsible for getting our
families and friends and everybody around us to know that we have some
authority to vote in. And then thank you so much, Adam, for letting everyone know
that there's a plan of action that you can be a part of that from now until
November, we'll be calling on those of you who are dialing in and those of you
who are speaking and our state leads to work this out together. Now I want to
talk about the people who make this campaign go. The ones who are really the
backbone of our our very campaign called face United to save democracy and that's
our state leads. They are the ones who are who help to bring together the
multiracial faith and multigeneration leaders in their states in our webinars
and our gatherings together. They are the faith influencers who are bridge
builders and they know that 2024 will be counting on them even more. And because
of their importance is that they are in our campaign and because we also want
you to know them and get connected with them. They're all on our website but I
want to call out other names now so you know who they are. In Alabama we have
the Bishop Harry C. Wright, 9th District AME Bishop. In Arizona we have co-leads,
intergenerational co-leads, Bishop Dr. Warren Stewart, Senior Pastor of First
Institutional Baptist Church and Dr. Dontum the Gildry, Outreach and Justice
Pastor at First Institution. In Florida Bishop Terry Hill, Senior Pastor of the
Citadel Church of Jacksonville. In Georgia we have intergenerational co-leads,
Reverend Dr. Cynthia Hale, Senior Pastor of the Ray of Hope Christian Church and
Reverend Paul Litter. Little Pastor of Bid Mount Zion Baptist Church in in
Macon, Georgia. We go from Georgia to Michigan and in Michigan we have co-leads
Dr. Reverend Dr. Steve Bland Jr. He runs the Baptist pastors of Detroit and is a
pastor there in Temple Baptist Church and our own Dr. James Perkins, pastor
emeritus of Christ Baptist Church in Detroit. From Detroit we go to North
Carolina to Bishop Claude Alexander in Charlotte, North Carolina and the
pastor, Senior Pastor of the Park Church in North Carolina. In Ohio we have
Gelata Aslam, she is the Director Coordinator of the Ohio, the powerful
Ohio Unity Coalition and in Pennsylvania our co-leads are the Reverend Dr. Alan
Waller and Dr. Mark Tyler, Reverend Waller is a pastor of Enon Baptist Church in
Philadelphia and Dr. Tyler at Mother Bethel AME Church in Philadelphia. In Texas, in
Dallas Texas we have the Reverend Freddie Haynes, Frederick Haynes III, Senior
Pastor of Friendship West Baptist Church and the newest Director of Rainbow
Push Coalition and finally last but certainly not least in Wisconsin we have
Pastor Joy Galman of St. Mark's AME Church and so you see we have a wealth of
experience and a wealth of knowledge and a wealth of commitment to bring people
together in the call to action that Adam Taylor just gave us and now you'll hear
their amazing voices, their collective voices in our first Faith
United to Save Democracy, Y Vote Video.
Our country stands at a crucial crossroads faced with a choice that will
shape our political and moral future. Many politicians are trying to divide us
against Asia. This election will impact everything we hold dear, deciding how we
want our children educated, having the right to keep our health care and the
right to voice our convictions and programs that will help keep us healthy
housed and fed. Now is the time to vote and now is the time to challenge the
politics of resentment, racial division and fear. The future of our neighbors
and communities hinges on this election. Our strength lies in our ability to
stand together, transcending our differences of faith, faith and faith. We
must forge a unified community where freedom and justice are not
privileged with our birthright for everyone. We can propel ourselves into a
new era of inclusion, generosity and justice.
Enter face United to Save Democracy, a nonpartisan, multiracial, multifaith and
multigenerational voter and democracy protection campaign.
Thanks United to Save Democracy is dedicated to resisting efforts that
undermine our freedom to them. We will combat voter intimidation, misinformation,
suppression and political violence. Stand up against the banks and actors and support
those who are marginalized. It's time to treat others with respect and honor the
Margot Dehi, the image of God in everyone. Let's defend everyone's right to a safe
and better. No one should fear for their safety based on skin color, language or
how they pray. We must unite against discrimination. We need a politic of love
for our neighbor and the common good. Some lawmakers are even trying to silence
our voices by making voting harder. We need to hold them accountable and ensure
that every voice is heard and every vote counted. Why do we vote? Because our vote
is our voice. By casting our ballots we elect officials who represent our values.
Our voice is our vote. By voting I support the officials that represent my
interests and my issues. Your vote matters. You can change laws and policies that
benefit your community. Our vote is our power. We can leverage our vote to make
sure that we hold elected officials accountable to our shared values and
priorities. Together we must ensure that every member of our communities can
exercise their sacred freedom to vote and shape the future. We all care about and
desire. Join face United to save democracy because together we can make a difference.
Yes, together we can make a difference and we want to encourage you to go to
turnoutsundee.com. That is turnoutsundee.com because that video is available. The
video you just saw with all of those amazing voices on the Y vote from our
state leads that are available and you can join your communities to them. In
addition to our state leads what really makes faith United to save democracy
powerful and strong are the many partners diverse partners of different
faiths and backgrounds that help to bring their voice their values and their
perspectives to this campaign. We are so excited today to have four of them
sharing their Y vote messages with them. We have the Rabbi David Saperstein,
former Director of Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, the Imam Talib
Shavri, President and Imam of Masjid Muhammad, the nation's mosque. Then the
Reverend Dr. John Faison senior senior pastor of Watson Grove Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee
and then Miss Latasha Brown co-founder of Black Voters Matter and they will come to us
in that order answering the question that everyone is asking. Why vote?
Judaism and so many of our religions gave to the world ideas and ideals of
proto democratic power that changed the course of human history and helped shape our nation.
I'll raise up just three today. First is what we have heard so powerfully already the belief
that God created every human being no matter what their racial ethnic sexual or religious identity
in the image of the divine. Second the rule of law to which all are bound in the model of a formal
formal court system to implement the law both first created in the Bible by Moses.
And when Nathan the prophet challenges King David or Elijah King Ahab we were taught that even
the highest human ruler is held accountable to the rule of law. It is a message as relevant
to our own leaders today and leaders of democracies everywhere as it was 3000 years ago.
Third is freedom of will and the concomitant freedom of choice so indispensable to democracy
and the right to vote that we gather to affirm again it's Martin Luther King birthday.
As the commuter grandma yet Scott warned 1700 years ago a ruler is not to be appointed
unless the community is first consulted. The power of these ideas in the model of these
institutions were key foundations of the concepts of equal rights, equal dignity, equal opportunity
for all God's children. Ideas that inspire the founders of our own nation as they inspire Dr.
Martin Luther King. Today as a Supreme Court and a growing number of extremists in Congress
have increasingly abandoned such a vision our votes in this critical election year
that will shape the direction of our nation whether that our nation will follow for years
to come our votes are indispensable in protecting our fundamental rights. Our houses of worship
can help people register to vote and turn out votes can educate them on the issues can help
protect election workers and officials and so much more to do less would be to betray Dr.
King's stream but with our vote we can we will renew and make real Dr. King's streams
and give to every American the democracy of liberty and justice for all that our fellow citizens so richly
deserve.
Imam you are on mute.
Thank you. This year this presidential election year is one in which the stakes have never been
higher and I know it's something typical to hear that this is the most important election
of our lifetime of our generation but when it comes to safeguarding our numerous rights
and protecting our democracy is on point. Why should you vote? Almighty God created us
he says from sounding clay the partisan clay which makes sound we are created to speak
and make sound when we are hit when we are hit with injustice hit with oppression
hit with inhumane treatment actions hit with inequality when when someone tries to take away
your rights your voting rights your civil rights your human rights your birth rights
your religious rights your social rights your rights to learn your rights to know
your constitutional rights etc. So why should you vote you're hearing it it's simple no vote no
voice because if you don't vote then you are not using that God-given voice
and you are saying that the country can be run without it we can't afford to sit this one out
or fall asleep we must be conscious of and attentive to the matters that deserve our attention and
we have to take a stand take a stand against the increasing number of states that are enacting
strict voting laws that suppress our right to vote our right to vote early our our right
to vote by mail registering to vote etc and at the same time we know we just heard earlier
some are working to divide up voter blocks into separate districts why so that our voices our
vote we have less of an impact on elections you see your freedom to vote is a right that is being
threatened by these new restrictions and laws politicians don't see the light until they feel
the heat the only way to stop these moves from happening is by voting out those who are acting
against our interests and voting for those that stand up for the values you believe in
and there is no more basic value than the right of every eligible voter to cast their ballot
never doubt that your vote is powerful but it must be exercised to remain so your vote is your voice
many brave and impassioned Americans protested marched were arrested and yes some died working
towards voting equality until traction was gained from the civil rights movement we know Dr. King
we commemorate him and others understand this the present inherits the past out of respect
for our creator and our created life honor those who sacrifice build upon and claim your rights
don't take it for granted register and vote
good afternoon friends my name is Pastor John Face from Nashville Tennessee and I am a fan of
the gospels all of the gospels tell the story of Jesus feeding the multitude with two fish
and five loaves of bread in each story we learned that there were 5,000 fed
yet they also include a footnote that this 5,000 did not include women and children
but in John's gospel we discovered that two fish and the five loaves of bread actually came
from a young boy isn't it amazing how the raw materials needed for the miracle that day
came from a group that didn't even get counted the good news of that story is that what the
counters ignored that day Jesus paid attention to and he used what that young boy brought
to change lives and to encourage us even for this very day friends America has a problem
very similar to the one we see in the gospels we still have trouble believing that some people
count yet we know that the raw materials for the miracles we need in the season we're in
are often found in the groups that too many people want to ignore
as the pastor in the state of Tennessee I can testify first hand of the political forces
that operate incessantly to ignore those who deserve to be counted the good news though
is that what evil attempts to ignore God can empower
voting is one of the most powerful ways to ensure our voices cannot be ignored
my fellow faith leaders and I call upon you to refuse to be ignored register yourself
register your family register your friends register all those you have influence and connection with
and commit to voting every election every time that way even when you are attempted to be ignored
you can't be God bless
love lifted me love lifted me when nothing else could help love lifted me
you don't want to start with that song in particular because I think that we have to recognize
that I believe that it's not our politics that are going to change that's literally going to
change the circumstances for us it will be our love for humanity and so when I'm asked the question
of why vote it's because you have to vote for the love of yourself and the love of humanity
and so I use as an acronym since I only have a few minutes I use as an acronym of why I think
there are four really good reasons to vote and we can take that we're going to take the word love
the first is leadership that the end of the day those of us that are called to the faith
that we believe in something great and we believe in the power of love
that we have been given this responsibility that we actually have to support making sure that
leaders in place that are literally in alignment with the principles and what we stand for
Proverbs 11 and 4 says for the lack of guidance a nation falls but victory is won through many
advisers so we have to see ourselves individually as the advisers of the shaping of this country
not just citizens of a nation but we've got to see ourselves as founders of a new nation
that we literally have to breathe in that which seems like it is losing life that we are the
advisers to shape and get the kind of America that we design we deserve when I look at the letter
O I think about opportunities that the end of the day we're in the wealthiest country in the world
and here we are we have millions of people who are living in abject poverty folks are going to
work with their living in their cars that's unacceptable we are called to actually be we are
called to a higher higher level of thinking a higher level of mission and then I think about
what Galatians 5 and 13 says you my brothers and sisters were called to be free but do not use
your freedom to indulge in the flesh rather serve each other humbly in love so what we call an
attached to freedom in the scripture or what we attached to freedom in this nation we have a
purpose of making sure that that freedom that we're using that not just to indulge in our own
selfish needs but that we're literally advancing humanity and making it better for all of us and
so when I think about V I think about vision I think that this nation is not suffering because
we don't have the right politics that we have a lack of imagination that is time for us to
radically reimagine how can we create a nation that we design we deserve that literally centers
humanity that people over profit and as we do that we know that in the scriptures Proverbs 29 at 18
says that where there there's no vision the people perish and so it's incumbent upon us as faith
leaders and faith walkers that we are operating away that we are literally pushing a vision and
our vote is one way to actually execute and push a vision forward for ourselves and our families
and the last thing I'll say is E which I actually think is earnestness that at the end of the day
that it is in what first Peter and four tells us is that above all things be earnest and your love
for one another for love covers the multitude of sins this is a nation that has been peppered
with from slavery to genocide to all those things that we know that have been forms of oppression
they're part of there's any time that we needed faith leaders to stand up and step up in a way
that we're literally standing on the love that our politics are driven by our love not our personal
agendas it is in this moment love can lift us all
wow wow and wow we have been lifted today by four amazing faith influencers in our country
each of them powerhouses in their own way what is so beautiful about today that we're doing
this together and that's how this campaign is going to go and that's why this next
panel is so important and by the way put your any questions you have in the chat because
if we don't get to them today we definitely will get to you and your questions as quickly
as possible following this webinar one of the most powerful things about face united to say
democracy is our respect for our differences even though we have a common purpose it is very
difficult to meet with people and connect with people if you don't respect them there are differences
in the way we in our different ethnic groups and cultures and races think about voting the issues
we respond to even the messages that we hear and here to help us to understand what that really means
are for amazing faith influencers they are in the order that they'll be shared the Reverend
Hapeen Eam president of faith and community empowerment the Reverend Carlos Malavi president
of Latino Christian national network and pastor Mike would write president of live free they are
joined by the what I the one I call the election protection attorney for all of us uh mr Damon
Hewitt and I will ask the three faith influencers the same question what is it that we need to know
about the messages that each of your communities respond to they are very different and and what
is voting what is voting even me to the Latino community to the Asian community to the Black
community help us in that help us understand that well good afternoon at least in California
again Hapeen in with faith and community empowerment I'd like to first start off that for many Asian
Americans because of our politics and experience of our home country that many are reluctant
to mix religion and politics so I just want to first start off by saying that the Bible speaks
clearly not just about mercy in my gut six that that's what does God require of us right not just
to act not to just love mercy but to also act justly and Proverse three also talks about
do not withhold good from whom it is to you and when it is in your power to do so and I believe
that voting is definitely an area a powerful tool in which we can do good for all of Americans but
also for the Asian American community why vote why doesn't matter to us for our community as Asian
Americans I think there's this long history of being excluded erased and demonized and so when we
vote our presence can make a difference in terms of who wins right what kind of leadership
what kind of policy decisions are made and I do have to say that President Biden's election
we as Asians we matter for too long we've been told and we've been disenfranchised and said that
we don't count that our vote is too small but we can bring that margin of victory and under President
Biden's election especially in Georgia he won by 11,000 volts Asian Americans cast over 128,000 votes
in Arizona Biden's margin was 11,000 votes but Asian Americans cast over 178,000 I could go on with
senator Ornock as well as senator all subs raised that again that margin of victory is so important
and our numbers every vote can make a difference second is that unfortunately for us we do suffer
from the the bias of being looked upon as a perpetual foreigner so whatever happens in our home
country it impacts us and definitely when there was the whole indication of the China virus being
linked with the coronavirus that led to this onslaught of anti-Asian hate that has continued on
long after the fact and so again and the fact is like as a Korean American I'm not even Chinese I
don't even speak Chinese language but it doesn't matter for us as Asian Americans we are impacted
by who whatever one country it impacts all of us and so again our vote does matter who is in
leadership matters lastly I want to just say that voter oppression and suppression impacts
our community as well voter accessibility access to translation assistance voter registration
assistance all those things that have been suppressed in the recent years impact our community and so
I just want to say again having the right people in office can make all the difference
one last piece the California legislation over when the anti-Asian hate continued with the right
folks and the right allies a new historic bill funding of 160 million plus that not only funded
Asian organizations but other communities of color that were dealing and facing with hate
you know Martin Luther King said if you can't fly then run if you can't run then walk if you can't
walk then crawl right but whatever you do you have to keep moving so first I want to encourage our
fellow Asian American and Pacific Islanders let's make our voice count as fellow believers let's
be that voice for those who are voiceless thank you
Mayor Malavi
Our vote it's one of the fundamental it's not the fundamental factor in creating
and developing the kind of nation where we want to live and where we want our children and our
children children students so that is so critical because we can determine the kind of nation that
we want to have Latinos are now the second largest group in voting age among Americans and
are playing an increasingly important and defining role in our political landscape
the growth is mostly fueled by a growing number of young Latinos turning 18 every year
our people Latino start projected to account for almost 15% of all the digital voters in November
2024 that it's about 36.2 million voters and very briefly I'd like to share what are some of the
most important factors that we need to consider as we empower and encourage our Latino community
vote the first thing is that Latinos tend to be late in registering and that's a big issue for us
because in most states you have to register one month before the election vote and unfortunately
it has long been through for our people that they don't very certain time and so that's very
important and most effective way for registering Latinos it's in person not all right
secondly the vote by mail is something that it's a handicap for our people most of our people
are large number of people done on vote by mail so we need to educate our people and how to use
every voting effectively thirdly voter assistance many many of our folks in our community are not
fluent in English and some people may not even speak much English so that is critical that we
provide assistance in a timely manner for our folks to to vote another factor is changing in voting
rules so we know how those changes have been happening throughout our country and so we need
to educate our people on the different changes in voting rules and that has to be done in English
other languages and particularly for us in Spanish we need those materials in Spanish for our people
and finally we share about the diversity of the issues that Latinos care for while
invigorations continue to be an important threshold issue for Latinos politician something to take
or make it the singular issue to attract potentially sway Latino voters but like most
older voters Latinos are also not single issue voters it's interesting to know that the economy
has been the top issue followed by health care education violent crime and gun policy
and interest me about immigration stand in the ninth place among all those issues so we need
to support our group of voters the Latino voters again Latino voters are the second largest block
of voters in the US we have many challenges but I think that together we can step up and empower
the Latino community to come to the voting booth and express with their vote the kind of mission
that they would like to live in. Pastor Mike. Well it is a gift to be here with everyone
I am a very huge proponent of ensuring our people are not only registered to vote
and mobilize to vote but also educated about the reason why we vote on a day like today when we
do celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I am reminded of his commitments to
defeating the triplets of evil which are racism which are poverty which are militarism and in
many of our communities we have not been able to fully make the connection for so many who are
either apathetic about why they should vote who may be excluded from being able to vote because
they may have criminal convictions or they may be misinformed about the issues or even their
eligibility and so part of our task is to continue to speak directly to the apathy that is largely
a result of bad governance or governance that does not meet the material conditions of our
communities and help them to make the linkages as to why it is so important for them to vote
often in the presidential cycles we spend a lot of time on who will sit in the White House
and forget that most people are mostly concerned about their house the issues related to
access to jobs access to education the issues related to police brutality and over policing
and so we encourage our community members who are apathetic to not just be overly or solely
fixated on who's in the White House but go down the ballot go to the senators go to the congressional
races go to the governors go to the state representatives go to prosecutors and judges go to those
elected officials down the ballot as well that would have a daily impact on your life that would
have an impact on the lives of your children your partner your community members we certainly
also appreciate across the country that individuals who are excluded from voting because of past
criminal convictions must still be engaged to help ensure that their family members and their
communities are well represented in many of our communities people are misinformed that they are
still ineligible to vote that we across the country have actually restored the right to vote
in many cities and states across the country the florida rights restoration coalition led by our
wonderful comrade and friend Desmond Mead is a wonderful example of re-enfranchisement efforts
happening all across the country and so those who are misinformed about their eligibility
need to also be engaged by our communities our churches our congregations our clergy etc
finally i'll just say uh the scripture reminds us that pure religion
genuine religion in the sight of god means caring for orphans and widows in their time of need and
refusing to let the world corrupt you this must be i believe the criteria for how we ensure
that our moral voice is breakthrough uh the kind of apathy misinformation and exclusion
that too often characterizes so many of our community members and loved ones on a day when we
recognize the struggle of dr king karetta scott king and so many other freedom fighters
may we continue to realize that the work is still before us uh as answer the davis says freedom is
a constant struggle voting is one way to ensure that struggle continues uh we stand ready we stand
hopeful we stand excited to get our community souls to the polls thank you so much uh Damon here
you um have your leading lawyer's committee for civil rights and all of us have counted on the
one eight six six our vote number we have been confident our poll chaplain have and others
voting uh workers have counted on calling in and getting help and in real time to help voters
you've heard from our panelists uh representing the black the latino and asian community what we've
heard today is that we all care about voting but we think about voting differently how does the
lawyers committee develop a strategy for helping us with our election protection with such divergence
in the ways we think about voting our voting issues and our voting challenges like language
challenges well thank you dr uh William Skinner and thank you all the panelists and speakers
and and and encourage your faith united uh there's three pieces here there's a message that resonates
with different audiences there is a coalition of trust and messengers and then there's a message
that people can actually access first in terms of what resonates you've probably so much uh so
i'll try not to uh repeat but at the lowest committee and through the election protection
coalition which is really with 300 organizations close to 400 during the election season it's not
just one organization and we collectively don't do GOTV together get up to vote together but we
can do GOTM let's get out the message get out the message about why it's so important you heard
so many of the reasons if you want the tangibles in your life uh the student debt relief to protect
diversity and inclusion in a meaningful way to direct where your tax dollars go is so important
it's so important for us to tap into the energy of diverse communities because we know it's not just
our votes it's our voices it's our very vitality it's our lives and our livelihoods that are at stake
we know that our people don't vote just to stop bad things from happening or to stop someone
from being elected it's really what we're voting for we're voting to walk in our own power so it's
important that everything we do in coalition of diverse communities is to give people not just
to turn out but to turn up and to never be turned around second trusted messages the coalition is
so diverse ranging from NAACP to the hip-hop caucus to APIA vote to Latino justice we come
together and share purpose and shared strength and then finally in terms of a message that can be
accessed uh from those trusted messengers we are operating and support language uh
hotlines in various languages uh in english a six six hour vote in spanish uh eight eight
vey votea and multiple Asian languages eight eight eight api vote in an arabic uh a four four
yellow us we're making sure that we cover as much ground as possible so that people understand
not just the rules of the world and where to vote but how to make their voices heard and resonate
and walk in our own collective power thank you so much i want to make sure the audience and
everyone understand that uh faith united to save democracy is nonpartisan uh any language that you
may have heard that is not partisan uh that is not faith united to save democracy there's another
place that we need to have a political conversation but it's not today but we're so grateful for these
extraordinary messengers uh and thank you so much and now we have a time for maybe one or two
questions before we get to the close there's been such a rich and dynamic conversation
we have several questions that have come to us and i'll just share a one or two of them right now
one is how do you uh reach fellow believers who are using faith language to argue against voting
rights uh a second question was and i'm gonna ask uh uh latoya uh latasha brown rather if she
would answer that that question how do you deal with that you are a woman of faith and yet you know
that people who are using faith language uh to oppose voting rights how do you and i just really
quickly because we have very little time i'll just say real quickly you know in the scripture tells us
a test of spirit by the spirit right so if we are literally as faith leaders and we're talking
to people in faith i think part of what we have to do the goal is you know there's also a Bible verse
that informs me that says that that in the scripture that jesus says if i be lifted up i bring all
men unto me i say that to say that i think sometimes we have to stand in the space of truth right we
have to stand in the space of truth and challenge untruths and such a way and let it do what is
gonna do right like literally allow the spirit to have the um the space in the moment i think our
responsibility is to be actually truth leaders that we are literally telling the story of truth
helping to dispel that and then to challenge and stand on the scriptures and really be able not to
not to abrogate our responsibility but stand in that space as a person of faith and lift it up and
so that's i know we don't have that much time so i'll just stop there well thank you so much i don't
know if a doctor uh bland is still on from michigan but there is a a question here if
dr bland is on or dr perkins uh about voter apathy um the question is one advice do you have for
someone who's apathetic toward voting because they believe voting is not based on the democratic
process but on how much money a candidate had that votes are in fact being boss how would you
say to that voter thank you so much uh for your question and again wonderful that we have
i think apathy is something that is pervasive and has been for some time throughout uh world
and our nation and community but i found that uh everybody's passionate about something and we
have to help to turn people and find the point of their passion because once we find that then
we can turn it people have pain and we can turn their pain to passion then you can turn their
passion to power and then their power into voting or policy change so the key is finding out where
that passion lies in that person they may be apathetic about voting but find out something that they're
interested in whether it be getting a new house whether it be been able to deal with redistricting
issues in the area something they're concerned about voting is going to impact so when you find
out what that passion is then catch them there then turn that passion into a place where you can
now get them to know voting will make a difference because your vote is your voice. Dr. Perkins?
uh i just concur with what Dr. Bland has said i think that he has put his finger on it that we
have to find out where people are what is causing their disinterest what is causing their appetite
and we try to speak to that and help them to know that there isn't any aspect of their life
that voting does not impact yes so decline stay out of voting just because you think it's it's
not doing you any good um is helping to undermine uh their life thank you so much friends you've heard
some of the most amazing voices in the country the integrous voices believable voices powerful
voices and i know i want you to know that this video the video of this entire webinar will be
available shortly after later on this evening and tomorrow on on our youtube channel and you'll be
able to share that with your network the stepped curry video will be available on at turn out
sunday.com in fact let me ask you to continue to check in with Faith United to save democracy
through turn out sunday.com there's several other questions we won't have time to answer but let
me just put them out just so you know and i can answer them in a word before we go to our closing
people want to know if they're outside of the 10 selected states how they can connect if you go
to turn out sunday.com you look at the voter registration map the map of early voting dates
the map shows exactly how you in all of the states all 50 states are listed there and how you can
register people to vote right online so we we have targeted our resources in 10 states but we
have made our technology and our support available to all of the states but if you also are interested
is the questioner asked about poll chaplain poll chaplains are both ordained and lay people
they're lay leaders from the churches you don't have to be ordained you just have to have an
interest in helping people at the polls go to turn out sunday.com and you can sign up for that
we've heard so much today i think you you have enough information to answer the question
why vote a multiplicity of times use this video as many ways as you need to get the message out
and now i believe we have come to that point where we need to hear a closing word from one of the
nation's most prophetic powerful and passionate witnesses and that is the Reverend Dr. Frederick
Haynes the third from Dallas Texas the friendship west Baptist church he is also the new president
of rainbow push coalition he will give us a closing word followed by a powerful faith influencer
Bishop Bastay Murphy Mackenzie she is the general secretary and president of the national
council of churches of Christ and the first female Bishop of the AME church they will come
in that order to help close this out Dr. Haynes
you're on mute
all right i said a lot of good stuff i hope y'all didn't miss it uh
you're good can you hear me yes you can hear me now yes okay
hey now he's frozen now that you're back on mute
now how are we now yes all right i'm sorry about that again i want to say thank you to Reverend
Dr. Barbara Williams Skinner for your luminous leadership and for assembling such a phenomenal
coalition especially on this special day january 15 as we commemorate the life and legacy and light
of Martin Luther King jr you've heard often during this conversation that your vote is your
voice okay if your vote is your voice what if i were to say to you shut up that's rude it's an
assault on your humanity when someone tells you to shut up basically they're saying you don't count
sadly and simply all across the country there are some people saying shut up to some people
to vote a suppression laws and the continued assault on the voting rights act so it's prophetic
and poetic today that we gather on the actual birthday the drum major for justice who formed
the coalition of conscience to push london johnson to pass the voting rights bill of 1965
giving all americans the possibility of speaking up this nation in the midst of the second
reconstruction moved closer to being a true democracy protecting the voice
and vision of every citizen in these yet to be united states the vote means you have something
to say so don't shut up speak up it's real interesting that i use that language during
the 50th anniversary of hip-hop i'm reminded of the words of Andre 3000 who had an award
show declared the south got something to say he was saying don't leave us out don't render us
invisible the south got something to say this year our nation comes to a critical crossroads
where we will use our voices to determine if we will live in a neo-fascist nation or a democracy
you got something to say so say it when you vote you're praying with your feet say it
when you vote you are using your voice use it when you vote you are casting a vision
of what your community state and this nation and our world can look like you've got something to
say so this year please say it because if you say it we can we build communities if you say it
quality and affordable health care can be accessed if you say it we can shoot we can work to pass
laws that create a living wage if you say it economic justice will tear down income inequality
if you say it underserved businesses will have procurement opportunities if you say it
quality culturally responsive education will elevate the lives of our children and communities
if you say it we can create a just immigration policy if you say it we can have an america that is
one nation under god indivisible with liberty and justice for all make sure you say it
absolutely praise god thank you dr hanes i think we got another marching order there
dr barber william skitter congratulations on all the work that you do and for this
stellar and important diverse voices uh that we had an opportunity to hear on this
webinar we have all heard already that voting is important uh particularly for
groups of people who have been marginalized for centuries who live at the mercy of the status
quo in his book accidental Pharisees avoid avoiding pride exclusivity and other dangers of overzealous
faith author larry osborn says that jesus's goal was to expand the kingdom to bring salvation to
people who previously were excluded he came to seek and find the loss including a bunch of
folk no one wanted at the party well guess what we are representing a bunch of folks that no
one wants at the party uh and so we have to move uh in the spirit of charlie chism since we weren't
invited we're going to bring our own table chairs and food we're going to show up at the
party jesus confronted the status quo and in his trial sermon he said i've come to preach the good
news to the poor set liberty captains recover the site to the blind liberate the pro uh
oppress and proclaim the good year the lord's favor it didn't go well and when you take a stand
like that it can be risky business on this day that we remember the life and legacy of dr
martin luther king jr he took a stand and taking a stand can be risky business so as we celebrate
not only his historical significance but uh what he means to life today without his courageous
stand risky business that cost him his life will be difficult to say when equality would ever have
taken center stage in america he challenged the generally accepted biased practices of the time
which are back now with the vengeance he pushed the biases boundaries of personal phobias and
pregnant conscious of the world and we must do the same and so voting allows us to participate
in a social justice action that works it allows us justice dr hane say to have our say in choosing
representatives who will advocate for our rights and look out for our interests voting means that
we have a way of assuring the protection of our rights our civil rights and voting has played
such a crucial role in these efforts uh ensuring positive change when we elect individuals
whom we can hold accountable who will stand for equality social justice legislative measures
that directly impact our lives what what voting means what preserving democracy
you know we're talking about saving democracy but we're gonna have to sell democracy to a whole
another uh set of generations who don't know what a democracy is voting is the foundation of a health
thank you democracy and it provides an effective way for us to hold our government we're not
what does that mean it means this come out come out wherever you are whether you're urban or
suburban storefront or high steeple come out come out from wherever you are
mosque or temple him book or hip hop come out come out wherever you are
gen x y z greatest generation baby boom of student or teacher come out come out from
wherever you are and vote why because you are voting for how much you're going to pay for gas
you're voting if there will be energy alternatives you're voting that if there will be fresh water
clean air clean soil whether the landfill will be built in your neighborhood or somewhere else
you're voting for where you work and how much you're going to get paid and when you get paid
will there be transportation for you to get there what books will be in your public library
what curriculum will be used in the schools that your kids go where you can live where you can
afford to live how much you pay for groceries whether you have whether the fresh food you buy is
really fresh food what your interest rates what your tuition all of it undergirds right
that's what we're talking about that's what we mean we talk about go vote and why isn't important
so now that we come at the end of this webinar we have been fed good food now let's digest it
and not just hear it but go out and do something about it is this where we pray barber this is
praise god all right let's look to the lord and pray my brothers and my sisters
almighty and everlasting god as we come to the end of this webinar on the importance of voting
we pause to acknowledge your sovereignty and guidance and the affairs of our nation
we thank you for the privilege of living in a society where we have the freedom to exercise our
right to vote where our voices can be heard and where justice can be pushed oh lord now help us
not to take this right for granted and help us not to waste our vote because not voting is
a vote for whatever reason no vote is still a vote lord your word reminds us in proverbs when the
righteous thrive the people rejoice and when the wicked rule the people grown and we humbly
seek your wisdom and discernment as we make our choices not in this election but in every election
oh lord our lives and our livelihoods are at stake and ultimately voting is not just to elect
leaders it's about shaping the future and pursuing justice by exercising this valuable right to vote
and so finally lord we ask that you grant us the courage and the perseverance
justice you told joshua we are now ready to hear it again that we must be strong and courageous
not be afraid not be discouraged for the lord your god will be with you wherever you go
let us not be discouraged in this moment but let us use our voice and let us vote
together we say amen amen it's all right amen amen yes thank you so much we've had truly amazing
speakers we've learned so much from all of them my heart is overwhelmed but mostly i'm feeling
hope i feel hope when i see the fact that we can make a difference a voice can make a difference
in our vote can count you have enough information through this webinar to go on and do your own
webinar so we want to thank all of you for tuning in to this webinar we had over 200 people join us
or sign in and we know that people of all races and backgrounds need this information
let me challenge those of you here um that the power of faith united to save democracy
is doing something that hasn't been done since dr king's time and that is bringing together
people who normally do not work and do not mobilize together let me challenge you as you
organize in your voter education registration your voter outreach your voter mobilization
to ask yourself who else do you need to reach out to because all of you have the ability
to do what you're doing in your own networks that we are doing through faith united to save
democracy let me thank our speakers all of our amazing speakers our team from sojourners
skinner leadership institute from george town center for faith and justice all of
you who made this webinar so very special we want you all to tune in and let people know about turn
out sunday.com send the video the the staff curry video will be on there by them tomorrow morning
you'll be able to take the same information and get it out at face united to save democracy at our
turn out sunday.com you can go there now you can look at download the toolkit you can begin
right now to hear very specific instructions on where the early voting dates are oh how do you
get people to register right online no matter what state all 50 states are listed there and what
are some of the key races that you can mobilize people around you can begin to download when the
time comes in your state the ballot induce webinars and seminars on how people should vote what's on
that not how they should vote but what's on the ballot and what does that mean for their lives
as bishop just told us and prayed for us and and so many other speakers folks listen we have enough
power not to ever complain about anything else we see on the television the power is ours to make
a difference we thank god for the life the living the legacy of dr martin the king who had he lived
would have been 94 today it's not enough to quote dr king we need to go and make his message real
god bless you and thank you for being with us