News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Cookeville-Putnam County NACCP Chapter will honor the life of former congressman John Lewis Wednesday.
The long-time civil rights activist became a congressman in 1986. NACCP Assistant Secretary Carol Fleetwood said Lewis was an honorable man who fought for voting rights and the rally is designed to continue his fight.
“He highlighted not only black voting rights, but the Indigenous Americans who are being suppressed on the reservations,” Fleetwood said. “They don’t have addresses, they have a different system, and because they don’t have addresses they can’t get a voter ID.”
In addition, the rally will educate people about four voting acts that will be introduced to the House of Representatives. Fleetwood said the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, the Freedom to Vote Act, the Native American Voting Rights Act, and the DC Statehood Act are bills that are designed to combat voter suppression.
“At the state level this year they have sent out 14,000 letters to naturalized citizens telling them they have to show proof of their naturalization in order to vote,” Fleetwood said. “This is illegal.”
The rally will feature multiple speakers and live music. The program will conclude with an LED candlelight march around the courthouse. The rally is titled John Lewis Day of Action. The event will begin at 7:00 PM Wednesday. Fleetwood said the goal of the rally is to show people how important it is for them to vote.
“Your vote counts,” Fleetwood said. “Tennessee has one of the lowest voting records in the nation, we need to get more people who are qualified, who are registered to get out and vote.”
The rally will have signs that say the word vote on it. Fleetwood said regardless of political party she wants people to vote for democracy.
“I believe that voting should be accessible,” Fleetwood said. “And I encourage everyone to vote, I don’t care who they vote for. This is nonpartisan, this rally is nonpartisan, if you are Republican, or Democrat, or Independent, or other I encourage you to get out and vote. It’s your civic duty, it’s your responsibility, and it’s your right.”
