photo credit: Kevin C. Cox l Getty Images
As boycotts took place last night for many NBA’s playoff games, as many players and teams alike chose to sit out in protest of the recent shooting that occurred earlier this week in Wisconsin, where Kenosha Police shot an unarmed Black Man, Jacob Blake, seven times, strides are continuously being taken to speak out against social injustice. With the current election at stake, Lakers’ forward LeBron James has launched a multi-million dollar campaign to recruit poll workers in Black communities for the November battle.
James’ More Than A Vote voting rights organization, which consists of atheists, state election officials and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, is currently working to draft activists to work polling stations in southern and battleground states that include Georgia, Michigan, Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Speaking with ABC News, James stated: There are a lot of people who grew up in the inner city who are afraid to vote. We’re giving everyone the tools, outlets.”
Formed back in June 2020, after demonstrations over the death of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and several other Black people who have lost their lives to police brutality, More Than A Vote will allow places like sporting arena to be used as polling locations in Atlanta, Cleveland, Charlotte, Los Angeles and many other cities. The organization is also said to be working to pay fees for former felons in Flordia to assist them in being able to vote.
Coming soon… Stay tuned for more on our effort with @NAACP_LDF to recruit poll workers in our communities. This work is crucial! https://t.co/TD5rr2Ixgj
— More Than A Vote (@morethanavote) August 24, 2020