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‘Stay Woke Go Vote’: FL Black Caucus launches campaign to empower voters

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‘Stay Woke Go Vote’: FL Black Caucus launches campaign to empower voters

May 09, 2022 | 4:53 pm ET
By Issac Morgan
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‘Stay Woke Go Vote’: FL Black Caucus launches campaign to empower voters
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Photo by Hill Street Studios/Getty Images.

The Black delegation in the Florida Legislature and community activists are doubling down on efforts to empower Floridians to vote during the upcoming elections, with the launch of a campaign that pushes back against Republican lawmakers’ policies.

Members of the Florida Legislative Black Caucus on Monday announced that they will host a “Stay Woke Go Vote” event on May 21 to launch the campaign.

They’ve also started an online petition and text campaign to encourage Florida voters to make their voices heard by participating in the election process.

“I’m proud to stand alongside my colleagues and supporters across the state as we launch ‘Stay Woke Go Vote,’ ” state Sen. Shevrin Jones, a Democrat representing parts of Miami-Dade and Broward counties, said in a written statement.

“It’s imperative, now more than ever, that we keep our foot on the gas to ensure that no stone is left unturned and that all voices are given the opportunity to be heard,” Jones said. “This effort is another powerful tool in our tool belt as we look towards November and beyond. We can’t do it alone.”

Among several issues, the Black Caucus is raising awareness about what they call an attack on Black representation in the new congressional redistricting map and recently signed legislation by Gov. Ron DeSantis that creates a special group to investigate reports of alleged voting fraud “under the fake cover of election integrity,” according to a press release.

Meanwhile, the petition states that “while voting alone will not deliver our community the relief, justice and equality we deserve, it is one tool that allows us an opportunity to have a voice in our democratic process as we endeavor to create transformational and sustainable change in our communities.”

The campaign comes after Black caucus members in the Legislature last month protested in the House chamber. They loudly chanted, wore t-shirts that read “Stop the Black Attack,” and staged a sit-in protest that shut down debate over African-American representation in the redistricting process.

“When Black votes are under attack, we stand up and fight back,” the crowd of Black lawmakers yelled on the House floor.