Members of the national voting rights group Black Voters Matter will spend the next three days in Charleston trying to rally support among Black voters ahead of next month’s Democratic presidential primary.
Beginning Thursday, the group will canvass Black neighborhoods and hold townhalls, stressing the importance of Black voices this election year. The campaign and bus tour are being called “We Fight Back”.
“Everything that Black communities are fighting for across the nation is on full display in South Carolina,” says co-founder and executive director Cliff Albright. “It remains one of the few states that hasn’t expanded Medicaid, and it continues to attack racial injustice.”
The group cites attacks on voting rights as well as misinformation and disinformation targeting marginalized communities as reasons why Black voters need to be engaged. Members say they want to strategize and organize to engage Black voters across the nation.
“We believe that Black voters are a key constituency in fixing democracy in this country,” says Black Voters Matter co-founder LaTosha Brown.
President Joe Biden is expected to easily win South Carolina’s February 3rd Democratic primary, but Black voter turnout could indicate challenges ahead.There is concern support among Black voters is waning months before the general election and that those frustrated may choose to stay home instead.
Members of Black Voters Matter say they are teaming up with local voting rights groups, social justice advocates, faith leaders and students during their stop in Charleston. The campaign begins Thursday with a press conference in North Charleston and wraps up Saturday with a barbeque at Charity Missionary Baptist Church.
