As we commemorate, the life of U. S. Representative John Lewis and recognize that there are 100 days until the November 3rd Presidential Election, voting is the theme of both the legacy of Rep. Lewis and the election.

The 13th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America abolished slavery in 1865 and the 14th Amendment gave free men the right to vote in 1866. But 100 years later, Representative John Lewis was beaten on the Edmund Pettis bridge fighting for the same rights that had been guaranteed in the Constitution. And yet, today, 155 years later men and women of color are still fighting for the same rights to vote.

For 401 years America has not lived up to the Declaration of Independence – “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

But in 2020, we have a chance to move America to one nation and value the lives of all people in this multicultural society. Our votes this November will be the beginning of this movement toward a true democracy. Now is the 100 days that we have to register everyone 18 and older to vote.

VOTE. Register online – www.scvotes.gov or call 864-467-7250 if you need to change your address or need assistance.

The Greenville NAACP always works on voter registration and we are launching our campaign. Lawson Wetli, Chair of our Voter Registration committee can be reached at lawsonwetli@gmail.com if you need to volunteer or registration forms.

Rev. J.M. Flemming, President
Greenville Branch of the NAACP