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GREENVILLE, SC (September 10, 2007) Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. and Rainbow PUSH Coalition (RPC) will visit a dozen Carolina cities between September 15-19 to register and energize new and existing voters. The purpose of the Voter Education Tour for Jobs Peace and Justice is to inform and inspire citizens to get involved in the way government works.
The non-partisan tour will begin in Spartanburg on Saturday, September 15, continue to Charlotte, Rock Hill and Simpsonville on the 16th, visit Rock Clemson, Greenville and Greenwood on Monday the 17th, continue to Columbia, Orangeburg, Charleston on the 18th, ending on the 19th with stops in Sumter and Aiken.
According to Davida Mathis, Greenville lawyer and activist, “only about 26% of eligible voters actually voted in the general election last year. People feel disconnected, so they don’t vote. In turn, their needs are not met, which only fuels the apathy. We want to try to break that cycle by helping folks understand why their vote matters so much. We have to translate our dissatisfaction into action.”
According to Greenwood County tour host, Rev. James Speed, "voting matters. Our lives are touched by the political system every day. From roads, to jobs, to schools, to child support - government influence is everywhere you look. We want young people to start exerting influence on the government as soon as they reach 18." Rainbow PUSH is relying heavily upon local affiliates and supporters like Rev. Speed to plan events in each locale.
"Our tour organizers in the various cities are telling us what issues matter most to the people in the area. In Spartanburg, there is a great concern with parental involvement in education. From Charleston, we’ve heard about the tragic deaths of the firemen, from Greenwood, there is an issue with access to technology, from Greenville and Columbia, we are hearing that fairness in the justice system is a critical issue. Education and good jobs are important across the board. Tuition is important to students at Clemson and Winthrop. Homeland security, energy independence, the environment and peace are important to many South Carolinians. We expect Rev. Jackson to demonstrate how people can bring about change by people turning out to vote,” indicated Janice L. Mathis, regional V.P. of Rainbow PUSH.
“South Carolina’s primary in February puts the state in the national spotlight. But we want that spotlight to focus on the issues, not just the horse race, the personalities and the money,” indicated Wendell Gilliard, RPC supporter and Charleston City Councilman.
Voter education, registration and empowerment are signatures of Rev. Jesse L. Jackson and Rainbow PUSH Coalition. Similar tours in recent years include the Hope and Healing Tour, the Georgia New South Tour and the Freedom and Justice Tour of Mississippi.
The Rainbow PUSH Coalition is a progressive organization protecting, defending and expanding civil rights to improve economic and educational opportunity. The organization is headquartered at 930 E. 50th St. in Chicago. For more information about the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, please visit the organization’s website, www.rainbowpush.org or telephone (773) 373-3366. To get additional information, please call the number listed above. |
