Carolyn M. Pride 
On November 3, voting rights activists stepped up their demands for the White House to act on voting rights in an action that resulted in the arrest of nearly 60 participants, including young activist Yolanda King, the little one. – 13-year-old daughter of Reverend Martin. Luther King Jr.
Following a blocked vote on the Free Voting Law in the Senate last month, activists are rallying to protect our democracy and our right to vote without fear of discrimination. This week’s protest showcased the power of young activists and was led by People For the American Way, the League of Voters of the United States and the Declaration for American Democracy, alongside dozens of coalition partners for democracy. Participants called on President Biden to use the influence of his office to push through the Senate the Freedom to Vote Act, the John Lewis Advancement of Voting Rights Act and the Washington State Statute .
We are here in front of the people’s house, @POTUS! We need you to get off the sidelines and fight for our #votingrightsnow – and we’ll keep coming back until you do!#poweredbyyouth @lwv @DFADCoalition @BlackVotersMtr @ Unite4Democracy @FutureCoalition pic.twitter.com/c6M8iAOwJ1
– People For the American Way (@peoplefor) November 3, 2021
Danton Whitley and members of the Baltimore Urban Inspiration Choir performed at the event again, upping the crowd with chants, including: “When we walk in the footsteps of ancestors, we must walk strong and walk singing!” “
Shortly before the event, People For the American Way president Ben Jealous spoke about why he was proud to risk being arrested alongside young people, including his daughter Morgan, 15.
This week, Martin Luther King III, Arndrea Waters King and Yolanda Renee King, 13, protested and risked being arrested alongside us; they all spoke about their family’s legacy in the struggle for the franchise and why they will continue in the footsteps of Martin Luther King, Jr.
“My generation cannot vote. But we can demand that our leaders do their job.
Watch Yolanda King’s powerful speech as she calls for action on voting rights – and action to make her grandfather’s dream come true. #VotingRightsNow #PoweredByYouth pic.twitter.com/Tyqrcy6JNq
– People For the American Way (@peoplefor) November 3, 2021
Soleil Moon Frye’s father was a civil rights activist who also attended the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, and she was delighted to accompany her two daughters, Poet and Jagger, to risk arrest. for voting rights.
Today, @moonfrye and her daughters may be arrested for calling @POTUS to protect our voting rights.
Listen to his speech. It’s time to act. #VotingRightsNow #PoweredByYouth pic.twitter.com/C76fv6zt0Z
– People For the American Way (@peoplefor) November 3, 2021
“As young people we are still fighting for the same thing that was fought 58 years ago,” 51-for-51 Jamal Holtz said at the event.
“As young people we are still fighting for the same thing that was fought 58 years ago,” said @JamalHoltz from @ 51pour51 to yesterday’s act of civil disobedience in the White House.
It is high time to protect our right to vote. No more excuses. #VotingRightsNow pic.twitter.com/xSIqFQUlAb
– People For the American Way (@peoplefor) November 4, 2021
“The most important thing today is that the young people standing on my left take matters into their own hands. We demand a brighter future for those who follow us, ”said DC Youth Mayor Addison Rose.
“The most important thing today is that the young people standing on my left take matters into their own hands. We demand a brighter future for those who follow us, ”said Addison Rose, DC Youth Mayor. #VotingRightsNow #PoweredByYouth pic.twitter.com/vu0Vf2fmyj
– People For the American Way (@peoplefor) November 3, 2021
“We are not here to seek justice. We are not here to negotiate our voting rights. We are here to demand that the voting rights pass, ”said Tylik McMillan of the National Action Network.
We are not here to seek justice. We are not here to negotiate our voting rights. We are here to demand that the voting rights pass, says @TylikMcMillan from @ActionNationale. #VotingRightsNow #PoweredByYouth pic.twitter.com/TX2aTdGDhN
– People For the American Way (@peoplefor) November 3, 2021
Eventually, six young people under the age of 18 were taken off the scene by police as part of the arrests, along with 14 other people under the age of 25.
BREAKING: Young people under the age of 18 have just been taken away by police for demonstrating in front of the White House for #votingrightsnow. Our movement for free voting is #poweredbyyouth – and we’re not backing down. pic.twitter.com/Cvv7h5aMsO
– People For the American Way (@peoplefor) November 3, 2021
You can watch all the testimonial videos here
You can watch the entire event here:
Regarding Young Turks, Ohio State Senator Nina Turner was joined by People For President Ben Jealous and the family of Martin Luther King Jr, including his son Martin Luther King III, his wife Arndrea Waters King and their daughter Yolanda Renee King, to discuss the importance of activism in the struggle for the right to vote for all Americans.
