‘It would change the political landscape’
The Rev. Al Sharpton calls on clergy to help register ex-felons to vote
The Rev. Al Sharpton stopped in Orlando on Tuesday and called on black churches and clergy to lead efforts in registering ex-felons to vote, following the passage of an amendment restoring that right to 1.4 million Floridians.
“We must use this state as ground zero to be a template for doing this nationwide,” Sharpton said of Amendment 4. “Because if they can vote, it would turn every election and it would change the political landscape.”
Sharpton opened the 2018 National Consultation, Conference of National Black Churches at Rosen Centre Hotel with a fiery speech, where he critiqued President Donald Trump and called for black churches to step forward to lead in their communities.
He said clergy need to find the felons in their churches and educate them on how to register and make sure they vote in future elections.
“The problem is….that many of those 1.4 [million] don’t know they can vote now,” Sharpton said. “So we’ve got to go now back into the communities through the churches and put our hands on the exfelons, and register them, and stay in touch with them and bring them out to vote.”
Florida voters approved the measure in November with 65 percent of the vote, restoring voting rights to nonviolent offenders. Previously, those with felony convictions could appear before a clemency board comprised of the governor and his Cabinet in order to have their civil rights restored.
However, few who applied actually had their rights restored — fewer than 2,000 annually under Gov. Rick Scott.
The amendment made it on the ballot by petition and largely received bipartisan support.
Experts have cautioned that it’s unlikely that an overwhelming number will register to vote, and even fewer will cast ballots.
Sharpton also addressed Florida’s governor race, where Republican Ron DeSantis narrowly defeated Andrew Gillum, the Democrat Tallahassee mayor.
Sharpton said race played a role in Gillum’s defeat.
“He lost because of the blatant racial appeal that the governor-elect DeSantis used,” Sharpton said. “And the president came down here to campaign for him.”
Several hundred preachers, pastors and other clergy filled a ballroom at the hotel for the opening luncheon and Sharpton’s speech.
By the end of the halfhour speech, many were standing as he issued a call to action.
“So now is the time for us to stand and be what we’ve always been: And that’s the bedrock for justice and fairness in our communities,” Sharpton said.
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