Jesse Scheckner
As the United States celebrates Juneteenth, the commemoration of African American freedom, Vice President Kamala Harris is spotlighting the efforts of a Florida nonprofit as it launches a “Day of Action” to combat voter suppression.
Harris penned a letter to Equal Ground Education Fund, a statewide group dedicated to protecting the voting rights of Black Floridians. She praised the organization for its prior work and offered well-wishes in its current and future efforts.
“I am honored to offer my warmest greetings to those gathered today for Equal Ground Education Fund Inc.’s statewide day of action,” she wrote.
“I commend Equal Ground Education Fund’s dedication to empowering Black voters and fostering civic engagement across Florida. As you all know, the freedom to vote is fundamental. Our democracy is stronger when everyone participates, and it is weaker when anyone is left out. Thank you for your tireless efforts to uplift some of our Nation’s historically underserved communities and address critical issues, including voting rights, health care, climate change, and more.
“Across our nation, extremists have attacked the sacred freedom to vote. This not only harms voters in every state but also disproportionately harms Black voters throughout Florida. Please know that President (Joe) Biden and I stand with you in protecting this fundamental right. We will continue to fight to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act — federal legislation that would expand voter registration and voting access while fighting discrimination.
“I am proud to join you on this Juneteenth — one of our National Days of Action on Voting — as we continue to fight to build a better, more just America. Together, we can create a brighter and more equitable future for all.”
According to Equal Ground, recently passed Florida laws such as SB 7050, SB 524 and SB 90 have led to the purging of nearly 450,000 Black voters from vote-by-mail rolls. The group said it’s now mobilizing more than 100 volunteers statewide to counteract that trend.
“Today, as we commemorate 159 years since enslaved Black people across the country were freed from slavery, we also live with the reality that extreme lawmakers are rewriting that very history and working to silence us just like they did nearly 160 years ago,” Equal Ground Interim Executive Director Genesis Robinson said in a statement.
“As an organization that has been at the forefront of the fight for issues that impact the Black community, we could not be more humbled by Vice President Harris’ acknowledgement of our work, and we could not be more steadfast in our dedication to ensuring that Black Floridians have all of the rights, freedoms, and power afforded to every other Floridian.
“This Juneteenth, we are continuing our efforts to combat attacks on Black Floridians and voter suppression tactics the best way we know how: reaching out directly to our community. No matter what extremist lawmakers do, our community will not be silenced and our resilience will not be broken.”
13 comments
Michael K
June 19, 2024 at 9:03 am
Ah yes, the “voting integrity police” that rounded up 20 mostly Black former felons who served their time – handcuffed and jailed, some in the middle of the night – for cases that were all overturned in court.
Meanwhile, the actual voter fraud by people in The Villages who voted twice – for Trump – all got “community service” class.
Though parts of HB 7050 have been permanently struck down, voter intimidation remains a way of life in Florida under current leadership.
Rev Jeremiah Wright
June 19, 2024 at 9:29 am
No one knew about Juneteenth a couple of years ago. Most people still have no idea what it means. But it’s now another Federal Holiday. I would think the Emancipation Proclamation would be a better Holiday choice.
Michael K
June 19, 2024 at 10:25 am
Not true at all. It’s been a big deal for years in places like Washington, DC, and in Black communities nationwide. Just because you’ve not heard of it doesn’t mean it hasn’t been observed. It’s an important chapter in American history, especially if it’s part of your history. Never give up hope – that’s the message.
Rev Jeremiah Wright
June 19, 2024 at 10:31 am
Just like Kwanza and Lee Circle in New Orleans. I’ll bet money I could have taken a sampling of black folks all ages and pointed to that statue on Lee Circle and most of them would have no idea who he was. Of course the “white” mayor had it removed after the google search crowd went around to all the atatues around the country and became activists
Tom
June 19, 2024 at 11:35 am
Just because you’re an ignorant fool doesn’t mean everyone else is. Maybe step away from fox news and read – you might be surprised what you can learn by picking up a book (make sure you get in quick before desantis manages to ban them all).
Rev Jeremiah Wright
June 19, 2024 at 3:35 pm
Tom you are so full of crap. You really are. People don’t even know who the President of the USA is. They don’t know how many states in the Union. They don’t know who their Governor is. They don’t know when the US got its independence from England. Yet you are gonna tell me they know what Juneteenth is. Hilarious. Up until the George Floyd riots and BLM activism that grew out of that very few people knew what it was. Ask people now what was the Emancipation Proclamation? They probably can’t answer that one either. I would easily take lots of money from you on a sample survey asking that question. Tell Joy Behar I said hi.
Ricky Bobby
June 19, 2024 at 3:51 pm
Well my first reply was squashed by the moderator so let’s try this again. Tom you are a naive moron. People don’t even know who the President of the USA is. What date the US got its independence from England. How may states are in the US. They don’t know who their Governor is, their US Senators, Congress, yet you are going to tell me the know what Juneteenth is. I’ll bet lots of money they don’t know what the Emancipation Proclamation was an either if you ask. I would take lots of money from you if we bet on a sample size and asked that question. You really are naive.
Tom
June 20, 2024 at 8:01 am
So you’re saying we live in a country full of uneducated fools? You must interact with different people than I do. That kind of explains trump though. It must be tough being a conservative with such a dystopian view of everything. I feel sorry for you.
Rev Jeremiah Wright
June 20, 2024 at 10:28 am
You obviously never watch theses shows where a reporter will go around asking questions on current events and general knowledge. Your arrogance though is coming through loud and clear. A Democrat elitist that thinks they know everything.
Andrew Finn
June 19, 2024 at 11:25 am
Ah Juneteenth !!!!!! Yet another “kiss up” holiday that is so insignificant that there isn’t even a mattress sale named after it. Just another reason to close the Post Office and the banks to inconvenience the rest of the world that is open for business as usual.
Michael K
June 19, 2024 at 11:45 am
These comments mask the real issue here: voter suppression efforts that are quite active in Florida. Some 450,000 mostly Black voters have been scrubbed from the voter rolls.
Michael K
June 19, 2024 at 11:49 am
Florida does not recognize Juneteenth as a holiday for state workers — not even as an unpaid day of commemoration, although it does mark Robert E. Lee’s birthday on Jan. 19, Confederate Memorial Day on April 26, and Jefferson Davis’s birthday on June 3.
Elvis Pitts "The Big Voice On The Right" American
June 19, 2024 at 12:14 pm
Darn America,
Nothing about “THE SIGNIFIANCE OF THE PASSAGE OF TIME” in her letter.
…… sigh ……. I was really looking forward to that.
Thank you America,
Elvis Pitts America