2004 ELECTION PROTECTION ARTISTS STATEMENT: We, the undersigned, passionately believe that our vote is our most precious civil right. This essential liberty has come at a great price, as many patriots have died throughout our nation's history in the ongoing struggle to secure this freedom for all Americans. Ten years ago, we joined in celebrating when a new democracy was born in South Africa, as black people cast their ballots for the first time. It is unacceptable that it is easier for a black person to vote in Johannesburg, South Africa, than in Jacksonville, Florida. We are profoundly concerned that so many Americans were deliberately prevented from voting, and the ballots of many more were not counted, during recent elections. These injustices compromise the integrity of American democracy. We applaud People for the American Way Foundation, Artists for a New South Africa and the other civil rights and voter education groups supporting the Election Protection Coalition, a nonpartisan effort to strengthen American democracy. The Election Protection Coalition is making a very real difference by safeguarding voters' rights, especially in historically disenfranchised communities. We commend EP's efforts to maximize electoral participation by informing the American public about upcoming elections, encouraging voter participation, advising voters of their legal rights, providing poll monitors in precincts around the country to help voters exercise their rights, and offering free and immediate legal assistance, to those who encounter problems registering or voting, via a toll free number: 1-866-OUR-VOTE. We refuse to stand by and allow our fellow citizens to be rendered powerless. We will vote on November 2nd, and we ask all Americans to join us in exercising this essential freedom. Our vote is our voice, and we can never let it be taken away.
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