Press Releases

Rev. Al Sharpton & National Action Network to conduct a coast-to-coast non partisan voter education tour

Rev. Al Sharpton & National Action Network to conduct a coast-to-coast non partisan voter education tour leading up to midterm elections beginning with California, Pennsylvania, and Florida this weekend — Rev. Sharpton to do live one-on-one interview with Bill Maher on HBO Friday, October 15th at 10pm EST on Real Time with Bill Maher

(New York, NY) October 14, 2005  –Rev. Al Sharpton and National Action Network (NAN) will commence an immediate coast-to-coast nonpartisan voter education tour to get the vote out in the final stretch before the Midterm elections. Rev. Al Sharpton will kick the tour off this weekend with get out the vote events in Los Angeles, California, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Miami, Florida and Jacksonville Florida. Concerned about the Black vote, Rev. Sharpton will speak at churches, rallies, union events, and visit targeted early vote polling locations to increase voter turnout in targeted precincts in the African American community.  He will saturate Black radio in the top 40 markets and intends to use his own 4 radio shows to get out the vote while impressing upon the community that just because Blacks got the vote out in 2008 does not assure victory this November. Once was not enough to protect African-American interests. 

Below is a brief summary of the immediate tour stops and other dates are being added: 

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15TH – LOS ANGELES, CA

• Meeting with faith and community leaders to discuss GOTV followed by a press conference to mobilize black and brown voters for the November elections
• Calls with Black media outlets and interviews with the Los Angeles Sentinel Newspaper, Our Weekly, Wave Publications, and Pace News
• Rev. Sharpton will be the featured lead interview on Real Time with Bill Maher on HBO. (10pm EST) 

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16TH – PHILADELPHIA, PA

The event in Philadelphia will be a GOTV faith and African American rally sponsored by the Bright Hope Baptist Church and co-sponsored by Congressman Fattah and State Rep. Curtis W. Thomas at Bright Hope Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m. (1601 N. 12th Street) 

Special guests include Congressman Brady, Governor Rendell, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, and a local. I will deliver the keynote address. Up to 2,000 people are expected to attend the event followed by a private reception on Saturday night with faith and African American leaders.   

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17TH AND MONDAY, OCTOBER 18TH – MIAMI, FL

Rev. Sharpton will do African American press and radio. He will also participate in GOTV events and have meetings with African American ministers.   

Monday, October 18, 2010 

8:45 AM – 10:45 AM

“SOULS TO THE POLLS” – Rev. Sharpton will visit targeted early vote polling locations to increase voter turnout in targeted precincts in the African American community.  

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM        

Luncheon with AFAM Clergy, Community Leaders, Key African American Folks

Location:  93rd Street Community Baptist Church

93rd Street Community Baptist Church, Rev. Carl Johnson2330 W 93rd Street, Miami, FL 

Rev. Sharpton will give an Early Vote and GOOV (Get Out Our Voters) Message; clergy and leaders will meet with him at 4:45PM to Early Vote Stump 

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Rev. Sharpton will conduct his nationally syndicated radio show “Keepin it Real” and discuss getting out the vote (www.sharptontalk.net) 

4:45 PM – 6:45 PM

“SOULS TO THE POLLS” – Rev. Sharpton will join other clergy and leaders and visit more targeted early voting locations in the African American community. Open to Press at each stop 

7:00 PM

NAACP Forum, New Birth Baptist Church  

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23rd, – CLEVELAND, OH

Rep. Marcia Fudge will be doing a large GOTV rally with the African American community and Rev. Sharpton will deliver the keynote address. There will also be additional press scheduled and meetings with ministers and African American electeds and community leaders.   

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24TH and MONDAY, October 25th – GAINESVILLE AND JACKSONVILLE, FL

The African American community in Gainesville hosts its annual “Empowerment Sunday” on October 24th.  Every year, the black elected officials along with the black ministers organize a political rally with food/drink and encourage the community to vote. The event is held right next to the Early Voting site so people can go vote and then come a grab a bite to eat and here some of the Democratic candidates speak.  Rev. Sharpton will be the keynote address for this event. The event drew over 3,000 people in 2008 and 2,000 people are expected to attend this year. 

The next day Rev. Sharpton will head over to Jacksonville, FL for additional meetings with ministers, GOTV events, and African American press. 

Background:NAN is one of the leading Civil Rights organizations in the nation with chapters around the country. NAN works extensively to promote a modern Civil Rights agenda which includes a standard of decency for all people regardless of race or sex, social justice for all communities, and improvement of race relations. Through the years NAN has served as a megaphone for the voiceless and an advocate for those in need. We have taken on issues relating to voter registration, education, and police brutality and misconduct. (www.nationalactionnetwork.net)