Associated Press
Singer John Legend was on hand to lend support Friday as 18 former felons were granted the right to vote in what Miami officials called a simple and streamlined process.
The ceremony in a Miami-Dade County courtroom was meant to show that ex-felons can regain their voting rights, even if the Republican-controlled state Legislature enacted a law requiring them to pay any fees, fines and restitution first.
Florida voters approved constitutional Amendment 4 last year aimed at allowing about 1.4 million ex-felons to vote. The Legislature’s subsequent law put the financial requirements in place, landing the issue before the Florida Supreme Court which heard oral arguments earlier this week.
Legend said he backs efforts to allow former felons to fully regain their place in society.
“It’s so beautiful to see,” Legend told reporters. “So many people take it for granted, this right to vote. When you lose it, it makes you realize how important it is.”
“It just shows you how important democracy is, how precious democracy is,” he added. “It’s important for all of us to be included in that.”
The Grammy winner held a fundraiser Thursday night for the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, which is mounting a statewide effort to help former prisoners obtain the right to vote.
One by one, the former felons came before Circuit Judge Nushin Sayfie for brief hearings to ensure they are qualified to regain the right to vote. One of them was Andre Williams, 63, who had an aggravated assault conviction on his record.
“I’m happy. Very, very happy,” he said. “It’s what I fought for, forever.”
Carlos Martinez, the Miami-Dade public defender, said people seeking restoration of voting rights can apply through the FRRC website and most would not need to come to court. If they do owe fines or restitution, Martinez said there are ways to settle those debts.
“We are all working with them to see those amounts are paid,” he said.
Desmond Meade, president of FRRC, said the organization is planning a bus tour to raise awareness through all 67 Florida counties.
“We want to encourage everyone to participate in our democracy, because that’s what makes us vibrant,” Meade said. “There is hope. There is a pathway forward. We are hoping to replicate this throughout the state.”
The bright red bus features images of former felons, one carrying a sign that reads, “When a debt is paid, it’s paid.” It also has the slogan, “Our vote, our voice, our time” on the side.
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Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
7 comments
John Kociuba
November 10, 2019 at 11:00 am
Dear Citizens ~
Re: Clandestine Communist Specter
John Legend and his wife are Admitted SOCIALISTS AKA MENSHEVIK COMMUNIST! Did you know Woodie Guthrie was a Communist? Lucille Ball, J. Oppenheimer, or Clandestine Communists going back to early 1900s such as Victor L. Berger, Negro Communists Harry Gaywood, Cyril Briggs, what about Jay Lovestone, Earl Browder, Harvey Milk, Nancy Pelosi, Elijah Cummings, John Brennan, countless Communists in academic psychiatry, economics, media, private sector.
Behold! Another Negro Communists promoting Rapists, Murderers, Arsonists, Pedophiles, Extortionists rights to vote “DEMOCRATIC-SOCIALISM” which by offering these DEMONS rights as sure as I’m standing here will MOB VOTE ALL CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS NULL VOID!
Enjoy your destruction of the American family unit! I didn’tmention the White Nazi Communists, Jew Communists nor Hispanic Communists…lol.
Yes. Are any of you aware Puerto Rico has 2 Communist political parties? Yes! PPD, PNP, and the PIP wants total separation from United States! Yes! I say let’s ANNEX them first!
Apathy & Pacifism Is A Plague Of Death!
John Kociuba
November 10, 2019 at 11:20 am
It is ILLEGAL to be a “Democratic-Socialist” aka Communist in the United States! Fact! Read your Constitution! It mentions 3 times “Sedition whether Verbal or Physical against the Constitution is ILLEGAL! The 10 Planks of the Communist Manifesto and 14 Points of Fascism is SEDITION!
Moreover cemented by 1917 Espionage Act, 1939 Smith Act, 1950 McCarran Act!
Time to finish what Hon. Senator Joseph McCarthy started! The Bintel Brief proved unequivocally McCarthy was RIGHT!
THE UNITED STATES FBI HAS ROOMS UPON ROOMS OF COMMUNIST DOCUMENTS AND AGENTS THAT FULLY PENETRATED THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT IN 1960S AFTER COMMUNISTS USED THE DARK ARTS IN MEDIA TO OUST HON. SENATOR JOSEPH MCCARTHY!
John Kociuba
November 10, 2019 at 11:10 am
Theepochtimes.com “The Specter of Communism.” In audio book FREE!
Cogent Observer
November 10, 2019 at 11:21 am
It is fine that they vote, Mr. Legend. Once they have completed their sentences and paid all fines and court costs assessed. Not until then.
Seber Newsome III
November 10, 2019 at 12:04 pm
Why do entertainers, , such as actors and singers have to get involved in politics. Just stick to what you do and leave the real people of America alone. If the felons pay all that they owe, fines, restitution, then and only then should they be allowed to vote. Remember, when you committed a FELONY, you gave up your right to vote.
John Kociuba
November 10, 2019 at 12:36 pm
Seber Newsom lll
Re: Felon Restoration Of Rights
Seber,
Once the flood gates are open hiw can you suspend felon gun rights? What about felony child rapists ability to hang around schools?
Aforementioned wouldn’t allowing Felon instution of suspended rights currently NULLVOID Red Flag Law which acts Unconstitutionally thereby violating Supreme Law Amendments 1 thru 9 of the United States Constitution?
FACT: ALL AMENDMENTS INSTALLED IN 2016 ELECTION ARE NULL VOID BECAUSE FLORIDA CITIZENS VOTED BLIND AND FULL DISCLOSURE REGARDING AMENDMENTS PROVIDED BY UNELECTED AMENDMENT COUNCIL DID NOT OFFER AMENDMENT BOOKS EXPLAINING SAID LAWS IN VOTER BOOTHS THROUGHOUT STATE OF FLORIDA!
Seber Newsome III
November 11, 2019 at 8:55 am
I agree, if I had my choice, no felon would be able to ever vote again. All I was saying according to what I thought was current law, all felons of certain crimes have to pay restitution, fines, etc. before they are allowed to vote again.
Comments are closed.