Press Releases

Rev. Al Sharpton & National Action Network (NAN) To Kick-Off Nan’s 2012 Voter Engagement Tour At Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church Thursday In Eatonville, Florida Led By NAN’s Ministers Initiative

Monday, June 25, 2012 (New York, NY) – Reverend Al Sharpton, President of National Action Network, has announced that the NAN’s Ministers Initiative will lead a “Voter Engagement Tour” in key states across the country where voter suppression and disenfranchisement is practiced and voter identification laws are prevalent. The tour will kick-off this Thursday, June 28 in Eatonville, Florida at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church (412 E. Kennedy Boulevard, Eatonville, FL 32751).  NAN’s voter engagement tour is being led by Pastor Michael A. Walrond, Jr., head of NAN’s Ministers Division in conjunction with Education for a Better America.

From now until Election Day, NAN’s goal is to educate and empower the electorate on how to combat these restrictive new voter requirements and ultimately protect voter rights. NAN will tour many of the states and cities impacted by these new draconian laws and align efforts with the local community.  The day-long program will begin with a luncheon with clergy members with a focus on creating an infrastructure in each city to continue voter education and protection. Teaming up with Education for a Better America, NAN will host a workshop during the latter part of the afternoon designed to inform the voting public and engagement volunteers about new and existing laws that will impact them in their respective communities.  The evening will feature a rally at a local church that will feature a keynote address by Rev. Al Sharpton.

The event this Thursday at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church will feature local leaders, activists and clergy and will kick-off with a luncheon at 11:30 a.m. followed by the Education for a Better America Workshop at 2:00p and Worship Service at 7:00p.m.  The Pastor of the church is Willie C. Barnes.

NAN’s mission is to work to ensure that every vote in every community across the nation is counted. Voter suppression efforts are threatening the notion of democracy as we know it. When about 5 million Americans may be disenfranchised from the polls this November, according to the Brennan Center for Justice, we understand that complacency is not an option.  Other tour stops will include Salem Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA on Tuesday, July 10 and more.