Tuesday, November 5th will be a historic day for Black and Brown people across this nation, women, members of the LGBTQAI community, and indeed for the future of democracy as we know it.
Those registered to vote will have the opportunity to help elect the next President of the United States, who in turn will have the awesome power to nominate future members of the U.S. Supreme Court. This court has recently made very dramatic decisions impacting voting rights, affirmative action, women’s rights, and gun legislation, many times with 5/4 and 6/3 decisions. These historic Supreme Court decisions have altered the political climate of this nation, quite possibly for years and maybe decades to come.
If one haven’t as yet decided if one should vote on November 5th, B-PEP requests voters to think about the pivotal power of this court and to ask oneself who you would want in charge with making future appointments to the U.S. Supreme Court and to other federal courts, and who you would want to have the responsibility of deciding who will lead the various departments of the Federal Government, which will in turn create the policies and make decisions which will impact the daily lives of citizens across this nation, including if Black history and Black studies will be preserved, if climate change will be addressed, if the Department of Education will remain, if women’s rights to health care will be restored, if access to contraceptives will remain, if social security will be protected, if big business and the oil industry will be regulated, if Medicare will be protected, if there will be protection for civil rights and for the expansion and protection of diversity, equity and inclusion, and a restoration of national voting rights, just to name some of what is at stake in this election.
The Black Political Empowerment Project (B-PEP) continues to urge African Americans to have a LIFETIME commitment to VOTE in EACH and EVERY Election. On Tuesday, November 5th African Americans will have an opportunity, both locally and nationally, to directly impact the election of the next President of the United States of American, along with U.S. Senators and members of the U.S. House of Representatives who will be in position to support the many needs and interests of the Black, Brown and poor communities, as well as the interests of our young people. On the November 5th the voters of Pennsylvania will also be able to help elect the next Attorney General, Auditor General, Treasurer, and state Representatives and State Senators.
In this crucial election the Black Political Empowerment Project will be partnering with Common Cause for those individuals who believe eligible voters deserve to have their voice count! Common Cause, during each election “… recruits, trains and deploys thousands of Election Protection volunteers across the nation. These trained nonpartisan volunteers serve as voters’ first line of defense against confusing voting rules, outdated infrastructure, rampant misinformation, and needless obstacles to the ballot box.” Our partnership is to coordinate and expand the Election Protection program for this historic presidential election.
We are recruiting some fifty persons to assist in assuring that this election runs smoothly. Each person will be provided training for this special opportunity to empower our community. Trainings are scheduled at our B-PEP headquarters located at 2201 Wylie Avenue (15219) in the Alma Speed Fox Building at Kirkpatrick Street (Alma Speed Fox Way):
Wednesday, October 30th 11 am and 2 pm, – 5 pm and 7 pm
Saturday, November 2nd 11 am and 2 pm
Monday, November 4th 5 pm and 7 pm
Tuesday, November 5, Election Day at 6 am
Once trained people will have the opportunity to choose half day shifts, with a stipend provided at $75.00, or the entire day for $150.00.
Interested persons should contact B-PEP at 412-212-8775 or should click on the link at https://protecthevote.net/?source=bpep. This important program is being coordinated by Celeste Taylor, Manager, B-PEP/Common Cause PA for Election Protection, B-PEP Vice Chair and Civic Engagement Coordinator, Lorraine Cross, and Walt Hales, B-PEP Church Outreach Coordinator.
B-PEP continues its nonpartisan ROLL TO THE POLLS program for voters located in the predominantly Black communities of Pittsburgh, Wilkinsburg and McKeesport. Those who need free transportation to the polls should call B-PEP at 412-212-8775. Those who would like to volunteer with B-PEP’s efforts to help empower our community should call B-PEP at 412-212-8775.
B-PEP mission remains: ‘It’s a LIFETIME COMMITMENT – African Americans VOTE in EACH and EVERY Election!’ Let’s make this statement not a ‘slogan’, but a living reality!
Tim Stevens, Chairman and CEO of the Black Political Empowerment Project (B-PEP)