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1 00:00:23,087 00:00:28,087 Subtitles by explosiveskull Subtitles by explosiveskull
2 00:00:33,935 00:00:35,562 It might be a race It might be a race
3 00:00:35,645 00:00:37,522 for the Governor's Mansion in Georgia, for the Governor's Mansion in Georgia,
4 00:00:37,605 00:00:40,650 but this is one that the entire country is watching. but this is one that the entire country is watching.
5 00:00:40,734 00:00:42,694 And if ever one vote counted, And if ever one vote counted,
6 00:00:42,777 00:00:45,613 it certainly is going to count in this particular race. it certainly is going to count in this particular race.
7 00:00:52,037 00:00:54,789 Stacey! Stacey! Stacey! Stacey! Stacey! Stacey!
8 00:00:54,873 00:00:57,417 Stacey! Stacey! Stacey! Stacey! Stacey! Stacey!
9 00:00:57,500 00:00:59,711 The controversy surrounding The controversy surrounding
10 00:00:59,794 00:01:02,005 Georgia's governor's race is not dying down. Georgia's governor's race is not dying down.
11 00:01:02,088 00:01:03,798 Both candidates dug in today. Both candidates dug in today.
12 00:01:03,882 00:01:05,383 Republican Brian Kemp Republican Brian Kemp
13 00:01:05,467 00:01:10,305 and Democrat Stacey Abrams are locked in a virtual dead heat. and Democrat Stacey Abrams are locked in a virtual dead heat.
14 00:01:10,388 00:01:11,389 Everybody wants to know Everybody wants to know
15 00:01:11,473 00:01:12,474 what's happening in Georgia. what's happening in Georgia.
16 00:01:12,557 00:01:13,725 Still a toss-up there, as we're waiting Still a toss-up there, as we're waiting
17 00:01:13,808 00:01:15,351 for a number of votes to come in. for a number of votes to come in.
18 00:01:15,435 00:01:18,396 They believe there are tens of thousands of absentee ballots They believe there are tens of thousands of absentee ballots
19 00:01:18,480 00:01:20,440 that have not yet been counted. that have not yet been counted.
20 00:01:20,523 00:01:22,650 Voter suppression has become Voter suppression has become
21 00:01:22,734 00:01:24,110 a national talking point, a national talking point,
22 00:01:24,194 00:01:27,280 and Brian Kemp has become a focal point. and Brian Kemp has become a focal point.
23 00:01:27,363 00:01:30,867 All of the votes in this race have not been counted. All of the votes in this race have not been counted.
24 00:01:30,950 00:01:33,453 On Tuesday, as you know, we earned On Tuesday, as you know, we earned
25 00:01:33,536 00:01:36,247 a clear and convincing victory at the ballot box, a clear and convincing victory at the ballot box,
26 00:01:36,331 00:01:39,292 and today we're beginning the transition process. and today we're beginning the transition process.
27 00:01:40,085 00:01:41,628 Kemp was leading Kemp was leading
28 00:01:41,711 00:01:42,962 Democratic opponent Stacey Abrams Democratic opponent Stacey Abrams
29 00:01:43,046 00:01:46,049 by a narrow margin, and it grew more and more narrow by a narrow margin, and it grew more and more narrow
30 00:01:46,132 00:01:48,009 in the days following the election. in the days following the election.
31 00:01:48,093 00:01:49,886 Abrams filed multiple lawsuits Abrams filed multiple lawsuits
32 00:01:49,969 00:01:52,388 but ultimately dropped out of the race. but ultimately dropped out of the race.
33 00:01:52,472 00:01:53,890 I acknowledge I acknowledge
34 00:01:53,973 00:01:56,768 that former Secretary of State Brian Kemp that former Secretary of State Brian Kemp
35 00:01:56,851 00:01:58,436 will be certified as the victor will be certified as the victor
36 00:01:58,520 00:02:01,064 in the 2018 gubernatorial election. in the 2018 gubernatorial election.
37 00:02:01,147 00:02:03,441 But to watch an elected official But to watch an elected official
38 00:02:03,525 00:02:06,361 who claims to represent the people and the state who claims to represent the people and the state
39 00:02:06,444 00:02:09,364 baldly pin his hopes for election on the suppression baldly pin his hopes for election on the suppression
40 00:02:09,447 00:02:11,783 of the people's democratic right to vote of the people's democratic right to vote
41 00:02:11,866 00:02:13,785 has been truly appalling. has been truly appalling.
42 00:02:13,868 00:02:15,328 So, let's be clear. So, let's be clear.
43 00:02:15,411 00:02:18,039 This is not a speech of concession. This is not a speech of concession.
44 00:02:18,123 00:02:19,999 Because concession means to acknowledge Because concession means to acknowledge
45 00:02:20,083 00:02:23,419 an action is right, true or proper. an action is right, true or proper.
46 00:02:23,503 00:02:25,547 As a woman of conscience and faith, As a woman of conscience and faith,
47 00:02:25,630 00:02:28,591 I cannot concede that. I cannot concede that.
48 00:02:57,328 00:02:59,372 The fundamental power of democracy The fundamental power of democracy
49 00:02:59,455 00:03:01,374 lies in the right to vote. lies in the right to vote.
50 00:03:01,457 00:03:03,042 If you protect that right, If you protect that right,
51 00:03:03,126 00:03:05,712 you create possibilities for everything else. you create possibilities for everything else.
52 00:03:08,381 00:03:11,843 Too many Americans take for granted the right to vote Too many Americans take for granted the right to vote
53 00:03:11,926 00:03:13,678 and don't understand that and don't understand that
54 00:03:13,761 00:03:16,055 unless we fight for the right to vote, unless we fight for the right to vote,
55 00:03:16,139 00:03:19,601 unless we try to include as many people as possible, unless we try to include as many people as possible,
56 00:03:19,684 00:03:23,688 our democracy is put at risk. our democracy is put at risk.
57 00:03:23,771 00:03:27,275 This right to vote is bloody. This right to vote is bloody.
58 00:03:27,358 00:03:29,152 It is contested. It is contested.
59 00:03:29,235 00:03:33,948 And the reason it is contested is because the vote matters. And the reason it is contested is because the vote matters.
60 00:03:41,915 00:03:44,209 ♪ Register, inform yourself and vote ♪ ♪ Register, inform yourself and vote ♪
61 00:03:44,292 00:03:47,837 ♪ Register, inform yourself and vote ♪ ♪ Register, inform yourself and vote ♪
62 00:03:47,921 00:03:49,714 ♪ A country doesn't run itself ♪ ♪ A country doesn't run itself ♪
63 00:03:49,797 00:03:51,341 ♪ Every voter is a help... ♪ ♪ Every voter is a help... ♪
64 00:03:51,424 00:03:52,800 There are those who argue There are those who argue
65 00:03:52,884 00:03:55,386 that America is not a democracy or a republic. that America is not a democracy or a republic.
66 00:03:55,470 00:03:57,138 We are a democratic republic We are a democratic republic
67 00:03:57,222 00:04:00,934 because we use democracy to elect our representatives. because we use democracy to elect our representatives.
68 00:04:03,436 00:04:04,896 What is democracy? What is democracy?
69 00:04:04,979 00:04:08,191 Democracy is a system in which the voters Democracy is a system in which the voters
70 00:04:08,274 00:04:10,985 choose the people that govern them. choose the people that govern them.
71 00:04:11,069 00:04:13,613 I vote for every, every election. I vote for every, every election.
72 00:04:13,696 00:04:15,156 I don't care what it is. I don't care what it is.
73 00:04:15,240 00:04:16,741 I don't miss voting. I don't miss voting.
74 00:04:16,824 00:04:19,911 And my voice, I want to be heard. And my voice, I want to be heard.
75 00:04:19,994 00:04:21,871 That's what it's supposed to be. That's what it's supposed to be.
76 00:04:21,955 00:04:24,874 House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she is determined House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she is determined
77 00:04:24,958 00:04:28,169 to push for mail-in voting across the country to push for mail-in voting across the country
78 00:04:28,253 00:04:30,255 in the next relief bill. in the next relief bill.
79 00:04:30,338 00:04:32,882 The things they had in there were crazy. The things they had in there were crazy.
80 00:04:32,966 00:04:34,509 Uh, they had things, uh, Uh, they had things, uh,
81 00:04:34,592 00:04:36,844 levels of voting that, if you ever agreed to it, levels of voting that, if you ever agreed to it,
82 00:04:36,928 00:04:40,265 you'd never have a Republican elected in this country again. you'd never have a Republican elected in this country again.
83 00:04:40,348 00:04:42,350 When elected officials feel like they may not have When elected officials feel like they may not have
84 00:04:42,433 00:04:44,560 the power anymore, they have two choices. the power anymore, they have two choices.
85 00:04:44,644 00:04:47,522 They can either be more responsive to those they lead, They can either be more responsive to those they lead,
86 00:04:47,605 00:04:49,148 or they can eliminate the people or they can eliminate the people
87 00:04:49,232 00:04:50,692 they have to answer to. they have to answer to.
88 00:04:50,775 00:04:53,278 I registered to vote at DMV about nine months ago. I registered to vote at DMV about nine months ago.
89 00:04:53,361 00:04:56,030 I found out three weeks ago that I wasn't registered. I found out three weeks ago that I wasn't registered.
90 00:04:56,114 00:04:57,156 Progress doesn't only Progress doesn't only
91 00:04:57,240 00:04:58,700 go in one direction. go in one direction.
92 00:04:58,783 00:05:01,327 We've had expansions of American democracy, We've had expansions of American democracy,
93 00:05:01,411 00:05:03,454 but we've also had times when things have moved backwards, but we've also had times when things have moved backwards,
94 00:05:03,538 00:05:05,206 where people have lost the right to vote. where people have lost the right to vote.
95 00:05:05,290 00:05:09,168 A monumental decision by the Supreme Court, A monumental decision by the Supreme Court,
96 00:05:09,252 00:05:11,462 changing the Voting Rights Act, changing the Voting Rights Act,
97 00:05:11,546 00:05:13,881 the law of the land for 48 years. the law of the land for 48 years.
98 00:05:13,965 00:05:15,842 History is never a straight line. History is never a straight line.
99 00:05:15,925 00:05:17,969 It's always a fight. It's always a fight.
100 00:05:18,052 00:05:19,721 If everybody's vote If everybody's vote
101 00:05:19,804 00:05:21,264 was important and equal, was important and equal,
102 00:05:21,347 00:05:23,933 then why are certain people then why are certain people
103 00:05:24,017 00:05:26,477 in certain areas, of certain backgrounds, in certain areas, of certain backgrounds,
104 00:05:26,561 00:05:28,438 why is their vote being limited? why is their vote being limited?
105 00:05:28,521 00:05:30,440 - We're here to stay! - Now, some call it - We're here to stay! - Now, some call it
106 00:05:30,523 00:05:32,859 a safeguard for the integrity of New Hampshire elections. a safeguard for the integrity of New Hampshire elections.
107 00:05:32,942 00:05:34,444 Others see it as a political ploy Others see it as a political ploy
108 00:05:34,527 00:05:36,195 to try and keep voters away from the polls. to try and keep voters away from the polls.
109 00:05:36,279 00:05:37,780 I just think it should be I just think it should be
110 00:05:37,864 00:05:39,157 a little more difficult to vote. a little more difficult to vote.
111 00:05:39,240 00:05:40,241 There's nothing unconstitutional There's nothing unconstitutional
112 00:05:40,325 00:05:42,410 about-about literacy tests. about-about literacy tests.
113 00:05:42,493 00:05:45,204 The fight over voting rights is ultimately about power. The fight over voting rights is ultimately about power.
114 00:05:45,288 00:05:46,622 Districts have been scrambled Districts have been scrambled
115 00:05:46,706 00:05:48,666 all over the state of Texas in the past, all over the state of Texas in the past,
116 00:05:48,750 00:05:51,252 and they elected white people and nobody questioned it. and they elected white people and nobody questioned it.
117 00:05:51,336 00:05:52,628 Do you believe that Do you believe that
118 00:05:52,712 00:05:54,547 democracy exists in America? democracy exists in America?
119 00:05:54,630 00:05:56,632 Well, I've lived in America all my life, Well, I've lived in America all my life,
120 00:05:56,716 00:05:58,217 and I've never seen democracy yet, and I've never seen democracy yet,
121 00:05:58,301 00:06:00,261 so I don't know what the hell you're talking about. so I don't know what the hell you're talking about.
122 00:06:00,345 00:06:03,264 People in Washington know nothing about reality. People in Washington know nothing about reality.
123 00:06:03,348 00:06:05,266 They know nothing about what's happening They know nothing about what's happening
124 00:06:05,350 00:06:07,101 to little people in the community. to little people in the community.
125 00:06:07,185 00:06:08,603 But you add it all up, and all of a sudden, But you add it all up, and all of a sudden,
126 00:06:08,686 00:06:09,687 p-people look at their government, p-people look at their government,
127 00:06:09,771 00:06:10,772 think, "It doesn't represent me." think, "It doesn't represent me."
128 00:06:10,855 00:06:12,565 And in many cases these days, uh, And in many cases these days, uh,
129 00:06:12,648 00:06:14,359 for a lot of reasons, it really doesn't. for a lot of reasons, it really doesn't.
130 00:06:14,442 00:06:16,069 In Wisconsin, voters headed In Wisconsin, voters headed
131 00:06:16,152 00:06:18,363 to the polls today, the first state to the polls today, the first state
132 00:06:18,446 00:06:21,532 to hold a major election with in-person voting to hold a major election with in-person voting
133 00:06:21,616 00:06:23,368 in the midst of a stay-at-home order. in the midst of a stay-at-home order.
134 00:06:23,451 00:06:27,705 Do they expect us to go against public safety? Do they expect us to go against public safety?
135 00:06:27,789 00:06:29,457 The United States is the only country The United States is the only country
136 00:06:29,540 00:06:33,002 that makes it so difficult for communities to own their power that makes it so difficult for communities to own their power
137 00:06:33,086 00:06:35,213 by requiring them to jump through hoops by requiring them to jump through hoops
138 00:06:35,296 00:06:38,299 to simply participate in basic elections. to simply participate in basic elections.
139 00:06:38,383 00:06:41,052 It's pernicious because it convinces you It's pernicious because it convinces you
140 00:06:41,135 00:06:43,012 that maybe it's not worth trying again. that maybe it's not worth trying again.
141 00:06:43,096 00:06:46,808 And when entire communities become convinced And when entire communities become convinced
142 00:06:46,891 00:06:48,976 that the process is not for them, that the process is not for them,
143 00:06:49,060 00:06:51,270 we lose their participation in our nation's future, we lose their participation in our nation's future,
144 00:06:51,354 00:06:53,189 and that's dangerous to everyone. and that's dangerous to everyone.
145 00:07:05,618 00:07:09,372 You cannot understand where we are right now You cannot understand where we are right now
146 00:07:09,455 00:07:12,291 unless you understand the history of voting rights unless you understand the history of voting rights
147 00:07:12,375 00:07:14,585 and the struggle for voting rights. and the struggle for voting rights.
148 00:07:18,089 00:07:20,591 Past is prologue. Past is prologue.
149 00:07:20,675 00:07:25,138 Those forces that are systematically determined Those forces that are systematically determined
150 00:07:25,221 00:07:28,975 to keep American citizens from voting, to keep American citizens from voting,
151 00:07:29,058 00:07:33,104 they have been laying the seeds over time. they have been laying the seeds over time.
152 00:07:34,605 00:07:37,567 When we started as a country, it wasn't really anything When we started as a country, it wasn't really anything
153 00:07:37,650 00:07:39,694 like what we would consider a democracy. like what we would consider a democracy.
154 00:07:39,777 00:07:41,821 Only white men who owned property Only white men who owned property
155 00:07:41,904 00:07:43,406 had the right to vote. had the right to vote.
156 00:07:43,489 00:07:47,869 That was a very small segment of the country even then. That was a very small segment of the country even then.
157 00:07:47,952 00:07:50,788 The Constitution begins with the words, "We the people." The Constitution begins with the words, "We the people."
158 00:07:50,872 00:07:54,041 And yet, who were the people? And yet, who were the people?
159 00:07:54,125 00:07:58,754 It doesn't include slaves. It doesn't include women. It doesn't include slaves. It doesn't include women.
160 00:07:58,838 00:08:01,632 Doesn't include Native Americans. Doesn't include Native Americans.
161 00:08:01,716 00:08:03,509 Doesn't include young people. Doesn't include young people.
162 00:08:03,593 00:08:06,929 So, the notion of "the people" is very restricted. So, the notion of "the people" is very restricted.
163 00:08:07,013 00:08:08,973 You won't find sitting anywhere You won't find sitting anywhere
164 00:08:09,056 00:08:12,393 in the articles of the Constitution where it says, in the articles of the Constitution where it says,
165 00:08:12,477 00:08:15,146 "American citizens have the right to vote." "American citizens have the right to vote."
166 00:08:16,189 00:08:18,149 When you have the-the founders When you have the-the founders
167 00:08:18,232 00:08:20,151 writing in the language of Enlightenment, writing in the language of Enlightenment,
168 00:08:20,234 00:08:22,570 dealing with getting rid of monarchy dealing with getting rid of monarchy
169 00:08:22,653 00:08:24,238 and getting rid of kings and getting rid of kings
170 00:08:24,322 00:08:28,242 and-and having this wonderful, beautiful republic, and-and having this wonderful, beautiful republic,
171 00:08:28,326 00:08:33,414 and then you have six percent who are eligible to vote. and then you have six percent who are eligible to vote.
172 00:08:35,249 00:08:38,377 White male property owners. White male property owners.
173 00:08:42,173 00:08:45,885 It tells you we had a lot of work to do. It tells you we had a lot of work to do.
174 00:08:55,478 00:08:58,147 I grew up in Gulfport, Mississippi. I grew up in Gulfport, Mississippi.
175 00:08:58,231 00:09:00,191 My dad was a shipyard worker. My dad was a shipyard worker.
176 00:09:00,274 00:09:04,195 My mom was the head librarian at William Carey College. My mom was the head librarian at William Carey College.
177 00:09:04,278 00:09:06,864 Both of my parents were first in their family. Both of my parents were first in their family.
178 00:09:06,948 00:09:09,200 My mom's the only one of her siblings My mom's the only one of her siblings
179 00:09:09,283 00:09:12,119 to finish high school and, let alone, go to grad school. to finish high school and, let alone, go to grad school.
180 00:09:12,203 00:09:15,039 My dad was the first man in his family to go to college. My dad was the first man in his family to go to college.
181 00:09:18,626 00:09:21,087 My mom and dad were very prolific. My mom and dad were very prolific.
182 00:09:21,170 00:09:24,924 I am the second of six children. I am the second of six children.
183 00:09:25,007 00:09:27,176 My parents were very intentional with us. My parents were very intentional with us.
184 00:09:27,260 00:09:28,511 And we had three jobs. And we had three jobs.
185 00:09:28,594 00:09:30,054 You had to go to church. You had to go to church.
186 00:09:30,137 00:09:31,138 Had to go to church. Had to go to church.
187 00:09:31,222 00:09:32,765 And you had to go to school. And you had to go to school.
188 00:09:32,848 00:09:34,392 Go to school and take care of each other. Go to school and take care of each other.
189 00:09:34,475 00:09:36,727 And in the meantime, you had to do something And in the meantime, you had to do something
190 00:09:36,811 00:09:38,771 - to help someone else. - Help somebody else. - to help someone else. - Help somebody else.
191 00:09:38,854 00:09:40,523 We would volunteer We would volunteer
192 00:09:40,606 00:09:42,942 at soup kitchens and homeless shelters. at soup kitchens and homeless shelters.
193 00:09:43,025 00:09:45,361 If there was someone in need, my parents found a way If there was someone in need, my parents found a way
194 00:09:45,444 00:09:47,196 to make sure we were there to help. to make sure we were there to help.
195 00:09:47,280 00:09:48,573 Which was odd to us because, Which was odd to us because,
196 00:09:48,656 00:09:50,449 we would point out, we were poor, too. we would point out, we were poor, too.
197 00:09:50,533 00:09:52,451 Why are we serving other people? Why are we serving other people?
198 00:09:53,703 00:09:55,121 They would say, "Having nothing They would say, "Having nothing
199 00:09:55,204 00:09:57,123 is not an excuse for doing nothing." is not an excuse for doing nothing."
200 00:09:57,206 00:09:58,791 And I'll tell you what, And I'll tell you what,
201 00:09:58,874 00:10:00,960 when those kids were growing up, when those kids were growing up,
202 00:10:01,043 00:10:04,255 every time we voted, we took them with us, every time we voted, we took them with us,
203 00:10:04,338 00:10:07,216 and they saw us cast our ballot. and they saw us cast our ballot.
204 00:10:07,300 00:10:09,552 And we'd sort of trail out of the voting booth And we'd sort of trail out of the voting booth
205 00:10:09,635 00:10:10,761 like Make Way for Ducklings like Make Way for Ducklings
206 00:10:10,845 00:10:12,638 because there were so many of us. because there were so many of us.
207 00:10:12,722 00:10:16,225 But they wanted us to see them in the act of casting a vote. But they wanted us to see them in the act of casting a vote.
208 00:10:21,480 00:10:25,401 My parents were admitted to Emory University in 1989 My parents were admitted to Emory University in 1989
209 00:10:25,484 00:10:28,738 to become United Methodist ministers. to become United Methodist ministers.
210 00:10:28,821 00:10:32,450 I was 15, so I was unhappy with the world around me, I was 15, so I was unhappy with the world around me,
211 00:10:32,533 00:10:36,203 so I was very excited about moving to Atlanta. so I was very excited about moving to Atlanta.
212 00:10:36,287 00:10:38,539 I attended Avondale High School, I attended Avondale High School,
213 00:10:38,623 00:10:42,376 and I became the valedictorian of my high school. and I became the valedictorian of my high school.
214 00:10:44,337 00:10:46,422 When you're valedictorian in Georgia, When you're valedictorian in Georgia,
215 00:10:46,505 00:10:50,468 you get invited to meet the governor of Georgia. you get invited to meet the governor of Georgia.
216 00:10:57,350 00:10:59,018 It was a Sunday morning. It was a Sunday morning.
217 00:10:59,101 00:11:02,480 We got dressed, put on our best clothes We got dressed, put on our best clothes
218 00:11:02,563 00:11:07,401 and got on the bus because we didn't have a car. and got on the bus because we didn't have a car.
219 00:11:10,071 00:11:12,698 We get to the guard gate, and the guard looks at me, We get to the guard gate, and the guard looks at me,
220 00:11:12,782 00:11:14,825 and he looks at my parents, and he says, and he looks at my parents, and he says,
221 00:11:14,909 00:11:17,703 "This is a private event. You don't belong here." "This is a private event. You don't belong here."
222 00:11:17,787 00:11:19,747 My dad says, "No, no, this is my daughter Stacey. My dad says, "No, no, this is my daughter Stacey.
223 00:11:19,830 00:11:21,290 She's one of the valedictorians." She's one of the valedictorians."
224 00:11:21,374 00:11:24,210 But the guard doesn't check his checklist. But the guard doesn't check his checklist.
225 00:11:24,293 00:11:26,879 He instead... I remember very clearly He instead... I remember very clearly
226 00:11:26,962 00:11:31,050 him looking over our shoulders at the bus that's pulling away, him looking over our shoulders at the bus that's pulling away,
227 00:11:31,133 00:11:33,094 and he looks back at us, and he basically says, and he looks back at us, and he basically says,
228 00:11:33,177 00:11:36,681 he's like, "No," like, "you don't belong here." he's like, "No," like, "you don't belong here."
229 00:11:41,060 00:11:43,145 The story he told himself was that The story he told himself was that
230 00:11:43,229 00:11:45,981 these three Black people getting off a bus, these three Black people getting off a bus,
231 00:11:46,065 00:11:50,027 they can't possibly belong in the Governor's Mansion they can't possibly belong in the Governor's Mansion
232 00:11:50,111 00:11:53,072 on this day that's celebrating success and opportunity. on this day that's celebrating success and opportunity.
233 00:11:53,155 00:11:55,491 - ♪ Let 'em know ♪ - ♪ Uh, yeah, we winnin' now ♪ - ♪ Let 'em know ♪ - ♪ Uh, yeah, we winnin' now ♪
234 00:11:55,574 00:11:57,910 ♪ Yeah, we risin' to the top, new beginning now ♪ ♪ Yeah, we risin' to the top, new beginning now ♪
235 00:11:57,993 00:11:59,453 - ♪ Yeah ♪ - ♪ And we never gonna stop ♪ - ♪ Yeah ♪ - ♪ And we never gonna stop ♪
236 00:11:59,537 00:12:00,996 ♪ Yeah, we grinnin' now ♪ ♪ Yeah, we grinnin' now ♪
237 00:12:01,080 00:12:02,373 ♪ Never been here, wow ♪ ♪ Never been here, wow ♪
238 00:12:02,456 00:12:04,542 ♪ But we in here now, holla black, yeah... ♪ ♪ But we in here now, holla black, yeah... ♪
239 00:12:04,625 00:12:07,002 My parents had a very engaged My parents had a very engaged
240 00:12:07,086 00:12:08,754 and spirited discussion with this gentleman and spirited discussion with this gentleman
241 00:12:08,838 00:12:10,214 about his decision-making skills, about his decision-making skills,
242 00:12:10,297 00:12:11,757 about his reading comprehension. about his reading comprehension.
243 00:12:11,841 00:12:13,259 Robert had to have a few choice words. Robert had to have a few choice words.
244 00:12:13,342 00:12:15,886 It was explained to him in a certain way that, It was explained to him in a certain way that,
245 00:12:15,970 00:12:17,430 if you want to stay healthy... if you want to stay healthy...
246 00:12:17,513 00:12:19,098 - Well... - ...you look at the list. - Well... - ...you look at the list.
247 00:12:19,181 00:12:21,267 I won't go no further than that. I won't go no further than that.
248 00:12:21,350 00:12:23,144 ♪ Yeah, we're here now, uh, uh ♪ ♪ Yeah, we're here now, uh, uh ♪
249 00:12:23,227 00:12:24,562 ♪ Yeah, we're here now... ♪ ♪ Yeah, we're here now... ♪
250 00:12:24,645 00:12:26,188 What I remember about that day What I remember about that day
251 00:12:26,272 00:12:28,274 is not meeting the governor. is not meeting the governor.
252 00:12:28,357 00:12:31,068 Don't remember meeting my fellow valedictorians. Don't remember meeting my fellow valedictorians.
253 00:12:32,278 00:12:34,363 All I remember is this man standing in front All I remember is this man standing in front
254 00:12:34,447 00:12:36,323 of the most powerful place in Georgia, of the most powerful place in Georgia,
255 00:12:36,407 00:12:38,451 telling me I don't belong inside. telling me I don't belong inside.
256 00:12:38,534 00:12:41,746 And that was my first encounter with the governor of Georgia. And that was my first encounter with the governor of Georgia.
257 00:12:41,829 00:12:44,415 ♪ Stand up, stand up, stand up ♪ ♪ Stand up, stand up, stand up ♪
258 00:12:44,498 00:12:48,252 ♪ No time to hide, we can't be denied, nah. ♪ ♪ No time to hide, we can't be denied, nah. ♪
259 00:12:48,335 00:12:52,757 It never occurred to me to think I could be governor. It never occurred to me to think I could be governor.
260 00:12:52,840 00:12:55,301 I had simply never seen it. I had simply never seen it.
261 00:12:55,384 00:12:56,886 When I started running, When I started running,
262 00:12:56,969 00:12:59,972 that story for me was an important narrative that story for me was an important narrative
263 00:13:00,055 00:13:01,849 because it reminded people that, because it reminded people that,
264 00:13:01,932 00:13:03,934 just as I was told I don't belong here, just as I was told I don't belong here,
265 00:13:04,018 00:13:08,355 so much of what voting is about is whether you belong, so much of what voting is about is whether you belong,
266 00:13:08,439 00:13:09,982 whether you have value. whether you have value.
267 00:13:12,985 00:13:16,238 James Baldwin said that "people are trapped in history James Baldwin said that "people are trapped in history
268 00:13:16,322 00:13:18,574 and history is trapped in people." and history is trapped in people."
269 00:13:18,657 00:13:21,619 We can't escape where we come from, We can't escape where we come from,
270 00:13:21,702 00:13:23,204 but it's our responsibility but it's our responsibility
271 00:13:23,287 00:13:25,956 to reshape what that story looks like. to reshape what that story looks like.
272 00:13:29,543 00:13:31,212 After the Civil War, After the Civil War,
273 00:13:31,295 00:13:36,258 the number-one question was: What is gonna replace slavery? the number-one question was: What is gonna replace slavery?
274 00:13:36,342 00:13:38,636 What system of labor? What system of politics? What system of labor? What system of politics?
275 00:13:38,719 00:13:41,222 What system of race relations? What system of race relations?
276 00:13:41,305 00:13:43,933 Reconstruction is the nation's effort Reconstruction is the nation's effort
277 00:13:44,016 00:13:48,354 to come to terms with the abolition of slavery. to come to terms with the abolition of slavery.
278 00:13:50,731 00:13:52,441 They were trying to figure out, They were trying to figure out,
279 00:13:52,525 00:13:54,276 "How do we heal this nation? "How do we heal this nation?
280 00:13:54,360 00:13:55,986 How do we stitch it back together?" How do we stitch it back together?"
281 00:13:56,070 00:13:59,114 And then you've got four million freed people. And then you've got four million freed people.
282 00:13:59,198 00:14:00,825 "How do we do this?" "How do we do this?"
283 00:14:04,870 00:14:08,165 The three amendments... the 13th, 14th and 15th... The three amendments... the 13th, 14th and 15th...
284 00:14:08,249 00:14:10,417 were not just small-scale changes were not just small-scale changes
285 00:14:10,501 00:14:12,670 in an existing structure. in an existing structure.
286 00:14:14,630 00:14:17,550 They made the Constitution, for the first time, They made the Constitution, for the first time,
287 00:14:17,633 00:14:22,054 a vehicle through which people could claim greater equality. a vehicle through which people could claim greater equality.
288 00:14:22,137 00:14:24,807 They actually transformed the Constitution They actually transformed the Constitution
289 00:14:24,890 00:14:27,393 into something new and different. into something new and different.
290 00:14:29,979 00:14:32,606 They took slavery out of the Constitution, They took slavery out of the Constitution,
291 00:14:32,690 00:14:34,859 where it had been embedded. where it had been embedded.
292 00:14:37,903 00:14:39,363 They created for the first time They created for the first time
293 00:14:39,446 00:14:41,699 a national definition of citizenship a national definition of citizenship
294 00:14:41,782 00:14:43,993 and insisted that all those citizens and insisted that all those citizens
295 00:14:44,076 00:14:45,828 and other persons in the country and other persons in the country
296 00:14:45,911 00:14:48,289 had to be treated equally. had to be treated equally.
297 00:14:50,875 00:14:53,961 And they mandated that African American men And they mandated that African American men
298 00:14:54,044 00:14:55,880 must have the right to vote. must have the right to vote.
299 00:14:55,963 00:14:58,549 That amendment in 1870 said That amendment in 1870 said
300 00:14:58,632 00:15:01,093 the right to vote "shall not be denied or abridged" the right to vote "shall not be denied or abridged"
301 00:15:01,176 00:15:03,012 on the basis "of race, color on the basis "of race, color
302 00:15:03,095 00:15:04,889 or previous condition of servitude." or previous condition of servitude."
303 00:15:04,972 00:15:09,393 The state shall not abridge the right to vote The state shall not abridge the right to vote
304 00:15:09,476 00:15:12,313 "on account of race, color "on account of race, color
305 00:15:12,396 00:15:15,399 or previous condition of servitude." or previous condition of servitude."
306 00:15:15,482 00:15:17,902 The idea of a national standard for voting The idea of a national standard for voting
307 00:15:17,985 00:15:19,695 was very controversial. was very controversial.
308 00:15:19,778 00:15:22,573 During the debates on the 15th Amendment, During the debates on the 15th Amendment,
309 00:15:22,656 00:15:25,451 even Northern states wanted to keep control even Northern states wanted to keep control
310 00:15:25,534 00:15:27,286 of the voting qualifications, because there were of the voting qualifications, because there were
311 00:15:27,369 00:15:29,038 people in their state they didn't want voting. people in their state they didn't want voting.
312 00:15:29,121 00:15:30,539 And it's not about blacks. And it's not about blacks.
313 00:15:32,249 00:15:36,045 California and Oregon did not ratify the 15th Amendment, California and Oregon did not ratify the 15th Amendment,
314 00:15:36,128 00:15:38,172 because they were afraid that because they were afraid that
315 00:15:38,255 00:15:40,841 it might let Chinese people vote. it might let Chinese people vote.
316 00:15:44,595 00:15:48,515 But by 1870, when the 15th Amendment was ratified, But by 1870, when the 15th Amendment was ratified,
317 00:15:48,599 00:15:51,101 Black men now had the right to vote Black men now had the right to vote
318 00:15:51,185 00:15:54,021 in every state in the union for the first time. in every state in the union for the first time.
319 00:15:54,104 00:15:56,565 And indeed, also to hold office. And indeed, also to hold office.
320 00:15:59,860 00:16:02,237 What Reconstruction offered What Reconstruction offered
321 00:16:02,321 00:16:04,573 was a fresh start for America. was a fresh start for America.
322 00:16:05,908 00:16:08,035 You had this moment where You had this moment where
323 00:16:08,118 00:16:11,622 Black citizens enjoyed citizenship. Black citizens enjoyed citizenship.
324 00:16:13,415 00:16:17,002 That was evidenced by Black men going to the U.S. Senate. That was evidenced by Black men going to the U.S. Senate.
325 00:16:22,007 00:16:25,177 You start having Black elected officials You start having Black elected officials
326 00:16:25,260 00:16:28,430 in these amazingly high spaces in these amazingly high spaces
327 00:16:28,514 00:16:31,767 where you would not have imagined them where you would not have imagined them
328 00:16:31,850 00:16:33,394 20 years earlier. 20 years earlier.
329 00:16:33,477 00:16:35,479 That was the power of Reconstruction, That was the power of Reconstruction,
330 00:16:35,562 00:16:37,982 and that was the power of the vote. and that was the power of the vote.
331 00:16:49,159 00:16:53,163 Please welcome the first lady of our movement, Please welcome the first lady of our movement,
332 00:16:53,247 00:16:56,875 Mrs. Coretta Scott King. Mrs. Coretta Scott King.
333 00:17:02,756 00:17:06,802 Hi. Welcome, all of you, my brothers and sisters, Hi. Welcome, all of you, my brothers and sisters,
334 00:17:06,885 00:17:10,973 to this 30th-anniversary March on Washington. to this 30th-anniversary March on Washington.
335 00:17:11,890 00:17:14,476 Dr. King's spirit is with us. Dr. King's spirit is with us.
336 00:17:14,560 00:17:17,604 When I spoke at the March on Washington, I was 19. When I spoke at the March on Washington, I was 19.
337 00:17:17,688 00:17:21,316 I was terrified, and I do not recall to this day I was terrified, and I do not recall to this day
338 00:17:21,400 00:17:23,152 actually giving that speech. actually giving that speech.
339 00:17:24,820 00:17:27,114 I'm delighted now to introduce I'm delighted now to introduce
340 00:17:27,197 00:17:30,868 our next speaker, Stacey Abrams, our next speaker, Stacey Abrams,
341 00:17:30,951 00:17:34,538 who is a junior at Spelman College in Atlanta. who is a junior at Spelman College in Atlanta.
342 00:17:34,621 00:17:38,792 She has helped mobilize students to be here today, She has helped mobilize students to be here today,
343 00:17:38,876 00:17:44,548 and we are very, very proud of our sister, Stacey Abrams. and we are very, very proud of our sister, Stacey Abrams.
344 00:17:44,631 00:17:45,716 Stacey. Stacey.
345 00:17:45,799 00:17:48,427 There was a guy with a clock There was a guy with a clock
346 00:17:48,510 00:17:51,555 who told me, "You only have X amount of time to speak." who told me, "You only have X amount of time to speak."
347 00:17:51,638 00:17:53,891 And I remember him saying, "Start." And I remember him saying, "Start."
348 00:17:53,974 00:17:57,061 Jobs, justice, peace. Jobs, justice, peace.
349 00:17:57,144 00:17:59,021 This is a theme that we've been hearing today This is a theme that we've been hearing today
350 00:17:59,104 00:18:00,814 over and over again. over and over again.
351 00:18:00,898 00:18:01,940 This is a theme... This is a theme...
352 00:18:02,024 00:18:03,942 When you walk onto the stage When you walk onto the stage
353 00:18:04,026 00:18:06,779 and you look out over the Reflecting Pool, and you look out over the Reflecting Pool,
354 00:18:06,862 00:18:11,408 I'd never seen that many people in one place in my entire life. I'd never seen that many people in one place in my entire life.
355 00:18:11,492 00:18:15,537 Today we come before you, walking on the road to jobs, Today we come before you, walking on the road to jobs,
356 00:18:15,621 00:18:18,499 the road to peace, the road to justice. the road to peace, the road to justice.
357 00:18:19,458 00:18:20,793 When I was in college, When I was in college,
358 00:18:20,876 00:18:24,463 I was very involved in voter registration. I was very involved in voter registration.
359 00:18:24,546 00:18:27,549 What I was concerned about as a young person was What I was concerned about as a young person was
360 00:18:27,633 00:18:29,843 how many people weren't taking advantage how many people weren't taking advantage
361 00:18:29,927 00:18:31,970 of this right, of this power. of this right, of this power.
362 00:18:32,054 00:18:34,515 I set up voter registration opportunities, I set up voter registration opportunities,
363 00:18:34,598 00:18:37,851 and I would annoy my friends, and they did not care. and I would annoy my friends, and they did not care.
364 00:18:37,935 00:18:41,313 But I knew how important it was to have this right to vote, But I knew how important it was to have this right to vote,
365 00:18:41,396 00:18:44,316 because I'd remembered my parents teaching me about this. because I'd remembered my parents teaching me about this.
366 00:18:44,399 00:18:46,193 I'd seen what it meant. I'd seen what it meant.
367 00:18:46,276 00:18:50,697 At Spelman, I used to go to city council meetings. At Spelman, I used to go to city council meetings.
368 00:18:50,781 00:18:53,575 I was starting to understand how government worked, I was starting to understand how government worked,
369 00:18:53,659 00:18:57,079 but I was also becoming very aware of how it didn't work. but I was also becoming very aware of how it didn't work.
370 00:18:59,957 00:19:02,042 I was protesting. I was protesting.
371 00:19:02,126 00:19:04,628 I burned the Georgia state flag I burned the Georgia state flag
372 00:19:04,711 00:19:07,214 because it had a Confederate emblem on it. because it had a Confederate emblem on it.
373 00:19:08,966 00:19:11,135 We first tried to get a meeting with the governor We first tried to get a meeting with the governor
374 00:19:11,218 00:19:13,220 to talk about it, and when that wasn't fruitful, to talk about it, and when that wasn't fruitful,
375 00:19:13,303 00:19:17,266 we decided to bring attention to it by setting it on fire. we decided to bring attention to it by setting it on fire.
376 00:19:17,349 00:19:19,268 Now, I got a burn permit for it, Now, I got a burn permit for it,
377 00:19:19,351 00:19:21,061 so everyone knew I was doing it. so everyone knew I was doing it.
378 00:19:21,145 00:19:22,688 I'm like, "I don't have to break the law I'm like, "I don't have to break the law
379 00:19:22,771 00:19:23,856 to make my point." to make my point."
380 00:19:23,939 00:19:27,776 Stacey Yvonne Abrams, magna cum laude. Stacey Yvonne Abrams, magna cum laude.
381 00:19:27,860 00:19:30,279 I learned at Spelman College I learned at Spelman College
382 00:19:30,362 00:19:33,115 I didn't have to limit my goals I didn't have to limit my goals
383 00:19:33,198 00:19:35,951 to what I'd seen other people do. to what I'd seen other people do.
384 00:19:37,452 00:19:40,080 Today, I come to you as a young person, Today, I come to you as a young person,
385 00:19:40,164 00:19:43,333 as a young woman, as a young Black woman, as a young woman, as a young Black woman,
386 00:19:43,417 00:19:45,419 to ask you to use us. to ask you to use us.
387 00:19:45,502 00:19:48,547 Use the young people of the United States of America Use the young people of the United States of America
388 00:19:48,630 00:19:51,175 to pave a road that will last forever. to pave a road that will last forever.
389 00:20:06,815 00:20:08,650 The first great protest march The first great protest march
390 00:20:08,734 00:20:10,152 on the nation's capital ever on the nation's capital ever
391 00:20:10,235 00:20:12,654 was for the right to vote for women. was for the right to vote for women.
392 00:20:14,031 00:20:18,869 In 1913, the day before the presidential inauguration, In 1913, the day before the presidential inauguration,
393 00:20:18,952 00:20:21,872 5,000 women marched down Pennsylvania Avenue. 5,000 women marched down Pennsylvania Avenue.
394 00:20:25,876 00:20:28,212 It took pushing and pushing and pushing. It took pushing and pushing and pushing.
395 00:20:28,295 00:20:30,756 It took hunger strikes, It took hunger strikes,
396 00:20:30,839 00:20:33,258 picketing in front of the White House. picketing in front of the White House.
397 00:20:34,551 00:20:36,678 All these creative, nonviolent protests... All these creative, nonviolent protests...
398 00:20:36,762 00:20:38,305 that was new to this country. that was new to this country.
399 00:20:38,388 00:20:41,433 This was before Gandhi had done a lot of these things. This was before Gandhi had done a lot of these things.
400 00:20:41,516 00:20:44,186 But the women's movement and the fight for women's suffrage But the women's movement and the fight for women's suffrage
401 00:20:44,269 00:20:46,647 introduced them to the United States. introduced them to the United States.
402 00:20:46,730 00:20:49,816 We get to the 19th Amendment We get to the 19th Amendment
403 00:20:49,900 00:20:53,820 that guarantees women the right to vote. that guarantees women the right to vote.
404 00:20:58,283 00:21:00,202 When you look back at how long When you look back at how long
405 00:21:00,285 00:21:02,913 women fought for the right to vote... women fought for the right to vote...
406 00:21:04,289 00:21:06,124 We're used to movements now... We're used to movements now...
407 00:21:06,208 00:21:08,752 ten or 20 years, and the change happens. ten or 20 years, and the change happens.
408 00:21:08,835 00:21:10,671 Women spent their entire lifetimes Women spent their entire lifetimes
409 00:21:10,754 00:21:12,798 fighting for the 19th Amendment. fighting for the 19th Amendment.
410 00:21:15,467 00:21:16,969 Black women were instrumental Black women were instrumental
411 00:21:17,052 00:21:19,846 in the passage of the 19th Amendment, in the passage of the 19th Amendment,
412 00:21:19,930 00:21:22,057 and they had been part of this conversation and they had been part of this conversation
413 00:21:22,140 00:21:23,976 from its beginning. from its beginning.
414 00:21:24,059 00:21:25,811 Women who were helping Women who were helping
415 00:21:25,894 00:21:30,065 shape opportunity for white women and for Black men, shape opportunity for white women and for Black men,
416 00:21:30,148 00:21:32,818 and yet, in each of these conversations, and yet, in each of these conversations,
417 00:21:32,901 00:21:35,445 Black women were left out of the narrative. Black women were left out of the narrative.
418 00:21:36,488 00:21:38,573 And then, post-Reconstruction, And then, post-Reconstruction,
419 00:21:38,657 00:21:43,120 Black men, who had suddenly become part of the body politic, Black men, who had suddenly become part of the body politic,
420 00:21:43,203 00:21:45,455 were once again disenfranchised. were once again disenfranchised.
421 00:21:57,467 00:22:00,554 The greatest moments of progress The greatest moments of progress
422 00:22:00,637 00:22:04,182 are followed by the most intense periods are followed by the most intense periods
423 00:22:04,266 00:22:06,018 of retrenchment. of retrenchment.
424 00:22:06,101 00:22:08,437 That's what happened after the Civil War. That's what happened after the Civil War.
425 00:22:08,520 00:22:11,064 Reconstruction was a high point for voting rights, Reconstruction was a high point for voting rights,
426 00:22:11,148 00:22:14,234 and it was followed by nearly a hundred years of Jim Crow. and it was followed by nearly a hundred years of Jim Crow.
427 00:22:16,194 00:22:18,238 The decision to remove The decision to remove
428 00:22:18,322 00:22:20,032 the troops from the South the troops from the South
429 00:22:20,115 00:22:23,994 was a decision made by one vote in the Congress. was a decision made by one vote in the Congress.
430 00:22:24,077 00:22:29,166 One vote put an end to Reconstruction One vote put an end to Reconstruction
431 00:22:29,249 00:22:33,045 and started the era of violence and started the era of violence
432 00:22:33,128 00:22:38,759 and bloodshed and Klan-led catastrophes. and bloodshed and Klan-led catastrophes.
433 00:22:41,553 00:22:44,097 The South was trying to figure out, The South was trying to figure out,
434 00:22:44,181 00:22:47,934 "How do we stop all of these Black folk from voting? "How do we stop all of these Black folk from voting?
435 00:22:48,018 00:22:52,731 If they continue to vote, we're in trouble." If they continue to vote, we're in trouble."
436 00:22:52,814 00:22:55,108 How do you say, "We don't want Black folks to vote," How do you say, "We don't want Black folks to vote,"
437 00:22:55,192 00:22:56,401 without writing a law saying, without writing a law saying,
438 00:22:56,485 00:22:58,278 "We don't want Black folks to vote"? "We don't want Black folks to vote"?
439 00:22:59,654 00:23:01,782 Mississippi said, "Oh, we've got this. Mississippi said, "Oh, we've got this.
440 00:23:01,865 00:23:05,952 "We have figured out how to get around the 15th Amendment, "We have figured out how to get around the 15th Amendment,
441 00:23:06,036 00:23:11,083 while systematically denying the vote to African Americans." while systematically denying the vote to African Americans."
442 00:23:11,166 00:23:13,877 And that was the Mississippi Plan of 1890. And that was the Mississippi Plan of 1890.
443 00:23:19,716 00:23:21,927 What Mississippi came up with was: What Mississippi came up with was:
444 00:23:22,010 00:23:25,597 We are going to use the societally imposed conditions We are going to use the societally imposed conditions
445 00:23:25,680 00:23:27,599 on African Americans on African Americans
446 00:23:27,682 00:23:32,771 and make those conditions the access to the ballot box. and make those conditions the access to the ballot box.
447 00:23:33,939 00:23:36,775 What you say is: Democracy is expensive. What you say is: Democracy is expensive.
448 00:23:36,858 00:23:38,944 Elections are expensive. Elections are expensive.
449 00:23:39,820 00:23:41,279 And if you're really invested, And if you're really invested,
450 00:23:41,363 00:23:43,740 you should be willing to pay a small fee. you should be willing to pay a small fee.
451 00:23:45,367 00:23:47,327 A poll tax. A poll tax.
452 00:23:47,411 00:23:49,371 It's not too much. It's not too much.
453 00:23:49,454 00:23:50,956 It sounds so reasonable. It sounds so reasonable.
454 00:23:51,039 00:23:55,669 But when you begin to think about what that means... But when you begin to think about what that means...
455 00:23:55,752 00:23:59,965 You can pay for food, or you can vote. You can pay for food, or you can vote.
456 00:24:00,048 00:24:03,385 You can pay for some clothes for your children, You can pay for some clothes for your children,
457 00:24:03,468 00:24:05,429 or you can vote. or you can vote.
458 00:24:14,062 00:24:17,107 And then the literacy test. And then the literacy test.
459 00:24:21,278 00:24:22,904 The literacy tests The literacy tests
460 00:24:22,988 00:24:24,448 are misnamed, in a sense, are misnamed, in a sense,
461 00:24:24,531 00:24:27,409 because they weren't really tests of one's literacy. because they weren't really tests of one's literacy.
462 00:24:27,492 00:24:28,952 They were traps. They were traps.
463 00:24:29,035 00:24:31,246 They were designed to never let you They were designed to never let you
464 00:24:31,329 00:24:33,582 be able to answer them correctly. be able to answer them correctly.
465 00:24:35,459 00:24:37,002 I actually took out I actually took out
466 00:24:37,085 00:24:39,504 one of the old literacy tests from Alabama. one of the old literacy tests from Alabama.
467 00:24:39,588 00:24:42,299 My class of second- and third-year law students My class of second- and third-year law students
468 00:24:42,382 00:24:46,386 could not pass the literacy test. could not pass the literacy test.
469 00:24:46,470 00:24:48,513 There were literacy tests, poll taxes. There were literacy tests, poll taxes.
470 00:24:48,597 00:24:49,848 Grandfather clauses, Grandfather clauses,
471 00:24:49,931 00:24:51,725 all-white primaries, property clauses. all-white primaries, property clauses.
472 00:24:51,808 00:24:53,935 If this one doesn't get you, this one will. If this one doesn't get you, this one will.
473 00:24:54,019 00:24:55,979 If this one doesn't get you, this one will. If this one doesn't get you, this one will.
474 00:24:58,106 00:25:01,109 There were this raft of different laws There were this raft of different laws
475 00:25:01,193 00:25:03,403 that were called the Black Codes. that were called the Black Codes.
476 00:25:03,487 00:25:06,490 And those laws criminalized basic normal behavior. And those laws criminalized basic normal behavior.
477 00:25:06,573 00:25:09,910 It was a crime to be on a city street It was a crime to be on a city street
478 00:25:09,993 00:25:12,037 without having a place to go. without having a place to go.
479 00:25:12,120 00:25:13,955 It was a crime not to have a job It was a crime not to have a job
480 00:25:14,039 00:25:16,458 even if what you were doing was looking for work. even if what you were doing was looking for work.
481 00:25:16,541 00:25:18,502 If you were caught loitering, If you were caught loitering,
482 00:25:18,585 00:25:20,921 meaning you were waiting for your wife in a store, meaning you were waiting for your wife in a store,
483 00:25:21,004 00:25:23,548 that could be a pretext for arresting you, that could be a pretext for arresting you,
484 00:25:23,632 00:25:24,758 incarcerating you incarcerating you
485 00:25:24,841 00:25:26,760 and permanently disenfranchising you. and permanently disenfranchising you.
486 00:25:34,809 00:25:37,437 That felony disfranchisement That felony disfranchisement
487 00:25:37,521 00:25:41,066 coming out of Florida in 1868... coming out of Florida in 1868...
488 00:25:41,149 00:25:46,404 what that does is it strips you of your right to vote. what that does is it strips you of your right to vote.
489 00:25:46,488 00:25:51,243 It is a way to-to neutralize the 15th Amendment. It is a way to-to neutralize the 15th Amendment.
490 00:26:03,838 00:26:05,882 Virtually overnight, Virtually overnight,
491 00:26:05,966 00:26:08,009 African Americans are eliminated African Americans are eliminated
492 00:26:08,093 00:26:10,387 from the electorate in the South. from the electorate in the South.
493 00:26:10,470 00:26:14,140 So, you go from having Black governors and senators So, you go from having Black governors and senators
494 00:26:14,224 00:26:17,644 to having almost no... if not any... Black voters to having almost no... if not any... Black voters
495 00:26:17,727 00:26:19,896 that were able to participate in elections. that were able to participate in elections.
496 00:26:19,980 00:26:22,732 In Mississippi, during Reconstruction, In Mississippi, during Reconstruction,
497 00:26:22,816 00:26:27,988 African American voter registration was almost 67%. African American voter registration was almost 67%.
498 00:26:29,114 00:26:31,533 By the time we have fought the Nazis By the time we have fought the Nazis
499 00:26:31,616 00:26:33,285 and we are moving into the Cold War and we are moving into the Cold War
500 00:26:33,368 00:26:35,328 where the U.S. is really holding up where the U.S. is really holding up
501 00:26:35,412 00:26:37,956 as the leader of the free world, as the leader of the free world,
502 00:26:38,039 00:26:41,918 only three percent of age-eligible African Americans only three percent of age-eligible African Americans
503 00:26:42,002 00:26:44,838 were registered to vote in the South. were registered to vote in the South.
504 00:26:44,921 00:26:47,424 Three percent. Three percent.
505 00:26:51,720 00:26:54,180 The word says, "Great is the Lord The word says, "Great is the Lord
506 00:26:54,264 00:26:56,474 and greatly to be praised." and greatly to be praised."
507 00:26:56,558 00:26:59,769 ♪ I'm gonna praise him, I got to get it out... ♪ ♪ I'm gonna praise him, I got to get it out... ♪
508 00:27:04,482 00:27:08,111 My name is Desmond Meade. My name is Desmond Meade.
509 00:27:08,194 00:27:10,905 I grew up in Miami, Florida. I grew up in Miami, Florida.
510 00:27:10,989 00:27:13,241 I am what we call a returning citizen. I am what we call a returning citizen.
511 00:27:14,951 00:27:16,870 Returning citizens are people Returning citizens are people
512 00:27:16,953 00:27:18,872 with previous felony convictions. with previous felony convictions.
513 00:27:18,955 00:27:21,708 You know, I used to tell people that my story You know, I used to tell people that my story
514 00:27:21,791 00:27:25,295 didn't have a happy ending because I lived in Florida, didn't have a happy ending because I lived in Florida,
515 00:27:25,378 00:27:27,422 where over 1.68 million people where over 1.68 million people
516 00:27:27,505 00:27:31,134 had a lifetime ban from voting and other things. had a lifetime ban from voting and other things.
517 00:27:31,217 00:27:33,428 After graduating high school, After graduating high school,
518 00:27:33,511 00:27:36,222 I went into the service. I went into the service.
519 00:27:36,306 00:27:41,144 When I returned home, I was addicted to drugs, When I returned home, I was addicted to drugs,
520 00:27:41,227 00:27:44,230 and I was in and out of jail, and I was in and out of jail,
521 00:27:44,314 00:27:47,442 and I ended up checking myself into drug treatment. and I ended up checking myself into drug treatment.
522 00:27:47,525 00:27:49,861 I experienced a transformation. I experienced a transformation.
523 00:27:49,944 00:27:53,406 What have I done with my life, uh, to make a difference? What have I done with my life, uh, to make a difference?
524 00:27:55,492 00:27:57,077 Florida leads the nation Florida leads the nation
525 00:27:57,160 00:28:00,664 in denying the right to vote to one specific group: felons. in denying the right to vote to one specific group: felons.
526 00:28:02,791 00:28:06,544 For years, we have lobbied politicians For years, we have lobbied politicians
527 00:28:06,628 00:28:09,130 to change these old Jim Crow laws, to change these old Jim Crow laws,
528 00:28:09,214 00:28:11,508 and we were not able to accomplish anything. and we were not able to accomplish anything.
529 00:28:11,591 00:28:13,927 If there's a million and a half If there's a million and a half
530 00:28:14,010 00:28:15,220 convicted felons in Florida convicted felons in Florida
531 00:28:15,303 00:28:19,391 and they're suddenly all qualified to vote, and they're suddenly all qualified to vote,
532 00:28:19,474 00:28:22,018 that universe of people are probably gonna be that universe of people are probably gonna be
533 00:28:22,102 00:28:25,230 more inclined to favor the Democratic Party. more inclined to favor the Democratic Party.
534 00:28:25,313 00:28:27,315 What data is there to support that? What data is there to support that?
535 00:28:27,399 00:28:29,067 - None. - Mm. - None. - Mm.
536 00:28:29,150 00:28:31,486 So, if the politicians did not have So, if the politicians did not have
537 00:28:31,569 00:28:33,822 the political strength or courage the political strength or courage
538 00:28:33,905 00:28:36,116 to actually change the policies, to actually change the policies,
539 00:28:36,199 00:28:38,785 then the next best thing was to let the citizens, then the next best thing was to let the citizens,
540 00:28:38,868 00:28:40,870 uh, take it into their own hands. uh, take it into their own hands.
541 00:28:40,954 00:28:45,542 Let my people vote! Let my people vote! Let my people vote! Let my people vote!
542 00:28:46,459 00:28:49,838 In October of 2014, In October of 2014,
543 00:28:49,921 00:28:52,716 we launched the ballot initiative. we launched the ballot initiative.
544 00:28:53,758 00:28:55,218 All of the experts thought All of the experts thought
545 00:28:55,301 00:28:58,513 that it was impossible to even get it on the ballot. that it was impossible to even get it on the ballot.
546 00:28:58,596 00:29:02,016 But this was an organic grassroots movement. But this was an organic grassroots movement.
547 00:29:02,100 00:29:03,977 We knocked on a lot of doors. We knocked on a lot of doors.
548 00:29:04,060 00:29:05,895 - We're gonna change the history. - All right. - We're gonna change the history. - All right.
549 00:29:05,979 00:29:07,230 We made a ton of phone calls. We made a ton of phone calls.
550 00:29:07,313 00:29:08,815 We're talking to voters about Amendment 4, We're talking to voters about Amendment 4,
551 00:29:08,898 00:29:09,899 the voting restoration amendment the voting restoration amendment
552 00:29:09,983 00:29:11,317 on the ballot this November. on the ballot this November.
553 00:29:11,401 00:29:12,610 Have you heard about it? Have you heard about it?
554 00:29:12,694 00:29:14,195 And our message was very simple. And our message was very simple.
555 00:29:14,279 00:29:16,156 When the debt is paid, it's paid. When the debt is paid, it's paid.
556 00:29:16,239 00:29:19,200 Uh, and that this was an all-American issue Uh, and that this was an all-American issue
557 00:29:19,284 00:29:21,536 that impacted people from all walks of life. that impacted people from all walks of life.
558 00:29:21,619 00:29:24,164 I'm a 20-plus-year conservative Republican. I'm a 20-plus-year conservative Republican.
559 00:29:24,247 00:29:26,624 I bring that up not to make an issue of it I bring that up not to make an issue of it
560 00:29:26,708 00:29:28,877 but to actually not make an issue of it. but to actually not make an issue of it.
561 00:29:28,960 00:29:30,378 This issue isn't about politics. This issue isn't about politics.
562 00:29:30,462 00:29:31,629 It's about people. It's about people.
563 00:29:31,713 00:29:33,506 Out of all the civil rights, Out of all the civil rights,
564 00:29:33,590 00:29:36,050 nothing speaks more to citizenship nothing speaks more to citizenship
565 00:29:36,134 00:29:37,761 than being able to vote. than being able to vote.
566 00:29:37,844 00:29:40,346 Today is midterm Election Day. Today is midterm Election Day.
567 00:29:40,430 00:29:42,640 Voting's gonna be in full swing here in just a few hours. Voting's gonna be in full swing here in just a few hours.
568 00:29:42,724 00:29:45,268 Voters in Florida are preparing to vote on a measure Voters in Florida are preparing to vote on a measure
569 00:29:45,351 00:29:46,936 that would restore voting rights that would restore voting rights
570 00:29:47,020 00:29:49,272 to 1.4 million people, to 1.4 million people,
571 00:29:49,355 00:29:52,233 one in five African Americans in Florida one in five African Americans in Florida
572 00:29:52,317 00:29:55,111 and ten percent of the state's adult population. and ten percent of the state's adult population.
573 00:29:55,195 00:29:57,781 Amendment 4, if it passes, is expected to Amendment 4, if it passes, is expected to
574 00:29:57,864 00:30:00,366 change the shape of Florida's electorate for decades to come. change the shape of Florida's electorate for decades to come.
575 00:30:00,450 00:30:02,160 Millions of votes already cast here in Florida, Millions of votes already cast here in Florida,
576 00:30:02,243 00:30:04,412 but millions more will vote today. but millions more will vote today.
577 00:30:04,496 00:30:06,289 It looks like Amendment 4 will pass. It looks like Amendment 4 will pass.
578 00:30:06,372 00:30:08,291 Amendment 4 passing by a wide margin. Amendment 4 passing by a wide margin.
579 00:30:08,374 00:30:09,918 64% there. 64% there.
580 00:30:11,461 00:30:12,837 Get the vote! Get the vote!
581 00:30:12,921 00:30:15,799 Get the vote! Get the vote! Get the vote! Get the vote!
582 00:30:15,882 00:30:18,802 I need every returning citizen here on this stage. I need every returning citizen here on this stage.
583 00:30:18,885 00:30:20,136 That's right. That's right.
584 00:30:20,220 00:30:22,180 When Amendment 4 passed, When Amendment 4 passed,
585 00:30:22,263 00:30:26,017 there was a feeling of joy and appreciation there was a feeling of joy and appreciation
586 00:30:26,100 00:30:27,811 for folks to be able to... for folks to be able to...
587 00:30:27,894 00:30:29,729 to participate in our democracy. to participate in our democracy.
588 00:30:29,813 00:30:31,189 We did it! We did it!
589 00:30:31,272 00:30:34,818 Oh, my God, I am... I am feeling, like, Oh, my God, I am... I am feeling, like,
590 00:30:34,901 00:30:37,445 on cloud nine right now. on cloud nine right now.
591 00:30:37,529 00:30:38,947 That population in Florida That population in Florida
592 00:30:39,030 00:30:40,281 and around the country, and around the country,
593 00:30:40,365 00:30:42,033 they are the legacy of the Black Codes. they are the legacy of the Black Codes.
594 00:30:42,116 00:30:44,202 They are the legacy of the Mississippi Plan. They are the legacy of the Mississippi Plan.
595 00:30:44,285 00:30:45,912 They are the legacy of attempts They are the legacy of attempts
596 00:30:45,995 00:30:48,414 to permanently disenfranchise African Americans to permanently disenfranchise African Americans
597 00:30:48,498 00:30:51,000 and to block their participation in society. and to block their participation in society.
598 00:31:17,026 00:31:19,279 Birth of a Nation... it's based Birth of a Nation... it's based
599 00:31:19,362 00:31:21,364 on a novel called The Clansman, on a novel called The Clansman,
600 00:31:21,447 00:31:24,117 which is a glorification of the Ku Klux Klan. which is a glorification of the Ku Klux Klan.
601 00:31:25,118 00:31:26,870 Why is the Ku Klux Klan glorified? Why is the Ku Klux Klan glorified?
602 00:31:26,953 00:31:29,372 Because it saved the South from the horrors Because it saved the South from the horrors
603 00:31:29,455 00:31:33,209 of Black men holding office and, uh, being corrupt. of Black men holding office and, uh, being corrupt.
604 00:31:36,963 00:31:39,674 You get to the early 1900s, You get to the early 1900s,
605 00:31:39,757 00:31:44,512 and you have the reign of terror from the Ku Klux Klan. and you have the reign of terror from the Ku Klux Klan.
606 00:31:45,722 00:31:49,100 And what you see is almost a total purge And what you see is almost a total purge
607 00:31:49,183 00:31:52,186 in lots of the former states of the Confederacy in lots of the former states of the Confederacy
608 00:31:52,270 00:31:55,064 of Black political participation... of Black political participation...
609 00:31:56,524 00:31:57,942 ...at the butt of a gun, ...at the butt of a gun,
610 00:31:58,026 00:32:00,403 at the butt of threats of violence, at the butt of threats of violence,
611 00:32:00,486 00:32:02,739 through lynching and chaos. through lynching and chaos.
612 00:32:03,781 00:32:05,658 There was terrorist violence There was terrorist violence
613 00:32:05,742 00:32:08,411 on a massive scale in the South. on a massive scale in the South.
614 00:32:09,329 00:32:12,165 Between 1880 and 1950, Between 1880 and 1950,
615 00:32:12,248 00:32:14,542 somewhere around 4,000 Americans are lynched... somewhere around 4,000 Americans are lynched...
616 00:32:14,626 00:32:17,503 and almost all of them African Americans. and almost all of them African Americans.
617 00:32:19,005 00:32:22,926 So, let me tell you a story about Maceo Snipes. So, let me tell you a story about Maceo Snipes.
618 00:32:23,009 00:32:26,429 Maceo Snipes was a World War II veteran. Maceo Snipes was a World War II veteran.
619 00:32:26,512 00:32:28,765 When you have fought fascists When you have fought fascists
620 00:32:28,848 00:32:31,976 and you have fought for democracy, and you have fought for democracy,
621 00:32:32,060 00:32:34,979 you want some of that democracy for yourself. you want some of that democracy for yourself.
622 00:32:36,481 00:32:38,274 He came home to Georgia, He came home to Georgia,
623 00:32:38,358 00:32:41,569 and Maceo was determined to vote. and Maceo was determined to vote.
624 00:32:42,654 00:32:44,656 There was an election going on, There was an election going on,
625 00:32:44,739 00:32:47,450 and Eugene Talmadge was running for governor. and Eugene Talmadge was running for governor.
626 00:32:49,494 00:32:51,955 The federal government is working consistently The federal government is working consistently
627 00:32:52,038 00:32:53,873 to tear down states' rights. to tear down states' rights.
628 00:32:53,957 00:32:56,459 And Talmadge was running on the platform And Talmadge was running on the platform
629 00:32:56,542 00:33:00,630 to, as he said, keep the Negroes where they belong. to, as he said, keep the Negroes where they belong.
630 00:33:00,713 00:33:03,758 And so Maceo goes down, and there's a sign And so Maceo goes down, and there's a sign
631 00:33:03,841 00:33:06,135 that says something to the effect of: that says something to the effect of:
632 00:33:06,219 00:33:07,845 "First Negro that votes, "First Negro that votes,
633 00:33:07,929 00:33:10,598 that'll be the last thing he ever does." that'll be the last thing he ever does."
634 00:33:10,682 00:33:13,559 Maceo was like, "I fought fascists. Maceo was like, "I fought fascists.
635 00:33:13,643 00:33:15,061 What you got?" What you got?"
636 00:33:15,144 00:33:17,063 And so Maceo went in there, And so Maceo went in there,
637 00:33:17,146 00:33:19,315 and he cast his ballot. and he cast his ballot.
638 00:33:20,817 00:33:24,570 He was the only Black person in Taylor County, Georgia, He was the only Black person in Taylor County, Georgia,
639 00:33:24,654 00:33:28,199 that voted in 1946. that voted in 1946.
640 00:33:28,282 00:33:30,284 Maceo goes home. Maceo goes home.
641 00:33:30,368 00:33:33,246 Nothing happens for a few days. Nothing happens for a few days.
642 00:33:33,329 00:33:35,039 And then... And then...
643 00:33:36,541 00:33:38,626 He goes to his door. He goes to his door.
644 00:33:38,710 00:33:41,170 White man says, "Could you step out on the porch?" White man says, "Could you step out on the porch?"
645 00:33:41,254 00:33:43,256 Maceo's like, "Sure." Maceo's like, "Sure."
646 00:33:43,339 00:33:45,258 And then he sees three additional white men. And then he sees three additional white men.
647 00:33:45,341 00:33:47,343 And then he hears... And then he hears...
648 00:33:47,427 00:33:50,763 And it was a firing squad, And it was a firing squad,
649 00:33:50,847 00:33:55,143 and they laid Maceo out. and they laid Maceo out.
650 00:33:56,477 00:33:58,855 The message was really clear. The message was really clear.
651 00:33:58,938 00:34:01,566 You vote, you die. You vote, you die.
652 00:34:10,950 00:34:14,996 Election Day terrorism was designed Election Day terrorism was designed
653 00:34:15,079 00:34:19,000 to provide the kind of intimidation to provide the kind of intimidation
654 00:34:19,083 00:34:21,377 that said, "If all of the pieces that said, "If all of the pieces
655 00:34:21,461 00:34:24,630 "of the Mississippi Plan can't stop you, "of the Mississippi Plan can't stop you,
656 00:34:24,714 00:34:28,426 we've got some bullets and a rope that will." we've got some bullets and a rope that will."
657 00:34:28,509 00:34:33,264 And this is why you see the kind of insurgency And this is why you see the kind of insurgency
658 00:34:33,347 00:34:35,600 happening in the Black community happening in the Black community
659 00:34:35,683 00:34:38,770 that leads into the civil rights movement. that leads into the civil rights movement.
660 00:34:38,853 00:34:40,980 This kind of... This kind of...
661 00:34:41,064 00:34:43,232 "I shall not be moved." "I shall not be moved."
662 00:34:43,316 00:34:49,197 ♪ Soon it will be done ♪ ♪ Soon it will be done ♪
663 00:34:49,280 00:34:54,368 ♪ Trouble of the world... ♪ ♪ Trouble of the world... ♪
664 00:34:54,452 00:34:56,329 My name is Roosevelt Lee. My name is Roosevelt Lee.
665 00:34:56,412 00:34:58,998 I went out to Liberty to try to register, I went out to Liberty to try to register,
666 00:34:59,082 00:35:01,417 and the next day, when I went back to my job, and the next day, when I went back to my job,
667 00:35:01,501 00:35:02,668 the man fired me. the man fired me.
668 00:35:05,630 00:35:08,925 After being questioned, I was carried into a room After being questioned, I was carried into a room
669 00:35:09,008 00:35:13,221 where a police officer came in and got a rope and said, where a police officer came in and got a rope and said,
670 00:35:13,304 00:35:15,681 "Okay, nigger, get up in here and let's go. "Okay, nigger, get up in here and let's go.
671 00:35:15,765 00:35:17,767 "We're going to have a hanging here tonight, "We're going to have a hanging here tonight,
672 00:35:17,850 00:35:19,352 and you're going to be first." and you're going to be first."
673 00:35:19,435 00:35:24,398 ♪ No more ♪ ♪ No more ♪
674 00:35:26,317 00:35:29,779 ♪ Weepin' and wailin' ♪ ♪ Weepin' and wailin' ♪
675 00:35:31,656 00:35:37,203 ♪ No more ♪ ♪ No more ♪
676 00:35:37,286 00:35:42,416 ♪ Weepin' and wailin' ♪ ♪ Weepin' and wailin' ♪
677 00:35:42,500 00:35:45,878 ♪ Going home ♪ ♪ Going home ♪
678 00:35:45,962 00:35:48,714 ♪ To live ♪ ♪ To live ♪
679 00:35:48,798 00:35:51,300 ♪ With my Lord ♪ ♪ With my Lord ♪
680 00:35:55,805 00:36:01,185 ♪ Soon it will be done ♪ ♪ Soon it will be done ♪
681 00:36:01,269 00:36:03,020 ♪ Trouble of the world... ♪ ♪ Trouble of the world... ♪
682 00:36:03,104 00:36:05,148 In my life, I never would've imagined In my life, I never would've imagined
683 00:36:05,231 00:36:07,066 I would have the honor to stand here. I would have the honor to stand here.
684 00:36:07,150 00:36:10,278 And when I got the request, And when I got the request,
685 00:36:10,361 00:36:13,447 my very next moment was to call my mom and my dad. my very next moment was to call my mom and my dad.
686 00:36:14,949 00:36:17,493 My parents, Reverend Robert Abrams My parents, Reverend Robert Abrams
687 00:36:17,577 00:36:19,370 and Reverend Carolyn Abrams. and Reverend Carolyn Abrams.
688 00:36:21,914 00:36:24,584 You see, my father was arrested at the age of 14 You see, my father was arrested at the age of 14
689 00:36:24,667 00:36:27,211 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
690 00:36:27,295 00:36:31,382 He was arrested for helping to register Black people to vote. He was arrested for helping to register Black people to vote.
691 00:36:31,465 00:36:32,758 My mother was doing the same work. My mother was doing the same work.
692 00:36:32,842 00:36:34,677 She was just smart enough not to get caught, but... She was just smart enough not to get caught, but...
693 00:36:36,053 00:36:38,764 All of that started here in Selma. All of that started here in Selma.
694 00:36:38,848 00:36:44,103 ♪ No more... ♪ ♪ No more... ♪
695 00:36:44,187 00:36:47,356 Selma, Alabama, is located in Dallas County. Selma, Alabama, is located in Dallas County.
696 00:36:47,440 00:36:50,818 17,000 of the county's residents are Negroes. 17,000 of the county's residents are Negroes.
697 00:36:50,902 00:36:55,531 However, only 1.7% of these are registered voters. However, only 1.7% of these are registered voters.
698 00:36:55,615 00:36:58,951 The Negroes of Selma, Alabama, want to vote. The Negroes of Selma, Alabama, want to vote.
699 00:36:59,035 00:37:01,662 We're willing to be beaten for democracy, We're willing to be beaten for democracy,
700 00:37:01,746 00:37:04,498 and you misuse democracy in the street. and you misuse democracy in the street.
701 00:37:04,582 00:37:07,210 You beat people bloody in order that they will not You beat people bloody in order that they will not
702 00:37:07,293 00:37:09,003 have the privilege to vote. have the privilege to vote.
703 00:37:09,086 00:37:10,338 You can turn your back now, You can turn your back now,
704 00:37:10,421 00:37:12,298 and you can keep the club in your hand, and you can keep the club in your hand,
705 00:37:12,381 00:37:14,425 but you cannot beat down justice. but you cannot beat down justice.
706 00:37:14,508 00:37:16,344 And we will register to vote And we will register to vote
707 00:37:16,427 00:37:18,012 because, as citizens of these United States, because, as citizens of these United States,
708 00:37:18,095 00:37:19,555 we have the right to do it. we have the right to do it.
709 00:37:19,639 00:37:22,850 You're under arrest for contempt of court. You're under arrest for contempt of court.
710 00:37:30,775 00:37:34,445 Selma really awakened the nation. Selma really awakened the nation.
711 00:37:35,363 00:37:38,574 In Selma, Sheriff Jim Clark In Selma, Sheriff Jim Clark
712 00:37:38,658 00:37:42,286 was refusing to let them register to vote. was refusing to let them register to vote.
713 00:37:43,996 00:37:47,083 They wouldn't even pretend to go through the motions. They wouldn't even pretend to go through the motions.
714 00:37:47,166 00:37:49,835 I want to start out I want to start out
715 00:37:49,919 00:37:54,882 by commending you, the Negro citizens of Selma, by commending you, the Negro citizens of Selma,
716 00:37:54,966 00:37:57,677 for standing up. for standing up.
717 00:37:57,760 00:38:00,721 Sooner or later, Sheriff Clark will understand Sooner or later, Sheriff Clark will understand
718 00:38:00,805 00:38:05,893 that he's dealing with a people that will not stop that he's dealing with a people that will not stop
719 00:38:05,977 00:38:09,021 until they have full freedom and human dignity. until they have full freedom and human dignity.
720 00:38:12,024 00:38:15,403 Dr. King and a large number of Selma Negroes marched Dr. King and a large number of Selma Negroes marched
721 00:38:15,486 00:38:17,405 through the city streets in small groups through the city streets in small groups
722 00:38:17,488 00:38:19,407 to the county courthouse. to the county courthouse.
723 00:38:21,033 00:38:23,035 One woman, Mrs. Amelia Boynton, One woman, Mrs. Amelia Boynton,
724 00:38:23,119 00:38:26,080 was grabbed by the sheriff and hustled along the sidewalk was grabbed by the sheriff and hustled along the sidewalk
725 00:38:26,163 00:38:28,624 into the custody of deputies. into the custody of deputies.
726 00:38:33,462 00:38:37,341 Dr. King and I, we had been working together Dr. King and I, we had been working together
727 00:38:37,425 00:38:40,052 to get a civil rights bill passed. to get a civil rights bill passed.
728 00:38:40,136 00:38:44,307 We went back, and we met with President Johnson, We went back, and we met with President Johnson,
729 00:38:44,390 00:38:48,060 and he said, "Well, I know you need voting rights, and he said, "Well, I know you need voting rights,
730 00:38:48,144 00:38:51,188 "but we just had a civil rights bill passed. "but we just had a civil rights bill passed.
731 00:38:51,272 00:38:53,232 "I just don't have the power "I just don't have the power
732 00:38:53,316 00:38:56,861 "to go back to Congress for another civil rights bill. "to go back to Congress for another civil rights bill.
733 00:38:56,944 00:39:00,531 I know it's needed, but, uh, I don't have the power." I know it's needed, but, uh, I don't have the power."
734 00:39:00,614 00:39:03,659 And he must have said, "I don't have the power," And he must have said, "I don't have the power,"
735 00:39:03,743 00:39:05,703 half a dozen times. half a dozen times.
736 00:39:07,580 00:39:12,752 When we left, I asked Dr. King, "Well, what are you gonna do?" When we left, I asked Dr. King, "Well, what are you gonna do?"
737 00:39:12,835 00:39:15,546 He said, "We're gonna get the president some power." He said, "We're gonna get the president some power."
738 00:39:23,554 00:39:25,222 Uh, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee Uh, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee
739 00:39:25,306 00:39:26,891 has a statement. has a statement.
740 00:39:26,974 00:39:29,727 We, the Negro citizens of Dallas County We, the Negro citizens of Dallas County
741 00:39:29,810 00:39:32,313 and other Alabama Black Belt counties, and other Alabama Black Belt counties,
742 00:39:32,396 00:39:35,274 are marching today from Selma to Montgomery. are marching today from Selma to Montgomery.
743 00:39:36,525 00:39:38,819 A couple of hundred people showed up. A couple of hundred people showed up.
744 00:39:40,279 00:39:43,366 John Lewis led the march. John Lewis led the march.
745 00:39:43,449 00:39:47,078 We're marching today to dramatize to the nation, We're marching today to dramatize to the nation,
746 00:39:47,161 00:39:48,704 dramatize to the world dramatize to the world
747 00:39:48,788 00:39:51,957 the hundreds and thousands of Negro citizens of Alabama, the hundreds and thousands of Negro citizens of Alabama,
748 00:39:52,041 00:39:54,293 but particularly here in the Black Belt area, but particularly here in the Black Belt area,
749 00:39:54,377 00:39:56,462 denied the right to vote. denied the right to vote.
750 00:40:00,383 00:40:03,010 Then they get to the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Then they get to the Edmund Pettus Bridge.
751 00:40:04,220 00:40:06,263 It's real quiet. It's real quiet.
752 00:40:06,347 00:40:09,308 They're like, "Where is everybody?" They're like, "Where is everybody?"
753 00:40:15,106 00:40:18,984 The Alabama state patrol and Sheriff Jim Clark The Alabama state patrol and Sheriff Jim Clark
754 00:40:19,068 00:40:22,571 were on the other side of the Edmund Pettus Bridge. were on the other side of the Edmund Pettus Bridge.
755 00:40:22,655 00:40:25,116 It'll be detrimental to your safety It'll be detrimental to your safety
756 00:40:25,199 00:40:27,243 to continue this march, and I'm saying to continue this march, and I'm saying
757 00:40:27,326 00:40:29,537 that this is an unlawful assembly. that this is an unlawful assembly.
758 00:40:29,620 00:40:31,664 You are ordered to disperse. You are ordered to disperse.
759 00:40:31,747 00:40:34,333 Go home or go to your church. Go home or go to your church.
760 00:40:34,417 00:40:37,586 This march will not continue. This march will not continue.
761 00:40:37,670 00:40:40,423 You've got two minutes to turn around You've got two minutes to turn around
762 00:40:40,506 00:40:42,800 and go back to your church. and go back to your church.
763 00:40:42,883 00:40:45,761 Is that clear to you? Is that clear to you?
764 00:40:45,845 00:40:48,180 Major, may I have a word? Major, may I have a word?
765 00:40:48,264 00:40:51,225 I've got nothing further to say to you. I've got nothing further to say to you.
766 00:40:51,308 00:40:56,230 Troopers here, advance toward the group. Troopers here, advance toward the group.
767 00:40:56,313 00:41:00,693 See that they turn around and disperse. See that they turn around and disperse.
768 00:41:19,670 00:41:21,964 You see people just stumbling. You see people just stumbling.
769 00:41:22,047 00:41:23,924 You see them being trampled. You see them being trampled.
770 00:41:24,008 00:41:26,552 And the cameras are rolling. And the cameras are rolling.
771 00:41:44,069 00:41:46,947 That Sunday, everybody was watching That Sunday, everybody was watching
772 00:41:47,031 00:41:49,742 the movie Judgment at Nuremberg, the movie Judgment at Nuremberg,
773 00:41:49,825 00:41:52,786 which was about Hitler's slaughter of the Jews. which was about Hitler's slaughter of the Jews.
774 00:41:54,955 00:41:57,541 They cut into their movie of the week They cut into their movie of the week
775 00:41:57,625 00:42:00,753 to show the footage of Bloody Sunday. to show the footage of Bloody Sunday.
776 00:42:00,836 00:42:04,256 The nation was appalled because one of the ways The nation was appalled because one of the ways
777 00:42:04,340 00:42:07,927 that Jim Crow worked so smoothly and so effectively that Jim Crow worked so smoothly and so effectively
778 00:42:08,010 00:42:09,803 is that you didn't have to see it. is that you didn't have to see it.
779 00:42:09,887 00:42:14,391 But when you see the violence raining down on people But when you see the violence raining down on people
780 00:42:14,475 00:42:18,020 who are just fighting for the right to vote, who are just fighting for the right to vote,
781 00:42:18,103 00:42:20,314 it tells you that something is systemically, it tells you that something is systemically,
782 00:42:20,397 00:42:23,234 fundamentally wrong in this democracy. fundamentally wrong in this democracy.
783 00:42:24,276 00:42:26,904 It-it was just... It-it was just...
784 00:42:26,987 00:42:31,492 it was ruthless and brutal and... it was ruthless and brutal and...
785 00:42:31,575 00:42:34,078 and criminal. and criminal.
786 00:42:34,161 00:42:36,997 But it was what... But it was what...
787 00:42:38,958 00:42:43,087 It was what changed the South on voting rights. It was what changed the South on voting rights.
788 00:42:46,590 00:42:48,425 A nationwide movement A nationwide movement
789 00:42:48,509 00:42:51,053 for voting rights erupted that week. for voting rights erupted that week.
790 00:42:51,136 00:42:52,846 All over the country, there were protests, All over the country, there were protests,
791 00:42:52,930 00:42:54,348 there were sit-ins. there were sit-ins.
792 00:42:56,850 00:42:58,435 My father saw it My father saw it
793 00:42:58,519 00:43:02,898 as a pivotal moment to seize upon America's angst as a pivotal moment to seize upon America's angst
794 00:43:02,982 00:43:04,525 so that Americans would come and say, so that Americans would come and say,
795 00:43:04,608 00:43:08,070 "Yes, the cause is just. The time is now." "Yes, the cause is just. The time is now."
796 00:43:15,786 00:43:18,163 Many of the issues of civil rights Many of the issues of civil rights
797 00:43:18,247 00:43:21,875 are very complex and most difficult. are very complex and most difficult.
798 00:43:21,959 00:43:27,798 But about this, there can and should be no argument. But about this, there can and should be no argument.
799 00:43:27,881 00:43:31,302 Every American citizen Every American citizen
800 00:43:31,385 00:43:35,306 must have an equal right to vote. must have an equal right to vote.
801 00:43:38,642 00:43:42,187 What happened in Selma is part of a far larger movement What happened in Selma is part of a far larger movement
802 00:43:42,271 00:43:44,982 which reaches into every section which reaches into every section
803 00:43:45,065 00:43:46,942 and state of America. and state of America.
804 00:43:47,026 00:43:49,695 Because it's not just Negroes, Because it's not just Negroes,
805 00:43:49,778 00:43:55,367 but really, it's all of us who must overcome but really, it's all of us who must overcome
806 00:43:55,451 00:43:59,580 the crippling legacy of bigotry the crippling legacy of bigotry
807 00:43:59,663 00:44:01,999 and injustice. and injustice.
808 00:44:02,082 00:44:05,044 And we shall overcome. And we shall overcome.
809 00:44:17,806 00:44:19,850 He ended his speech with: He ended his speech with:
810 00:44:19,933 00:44:22,686 "And we shall overcome." "And we shall overcome."
811 00:44:22,770 00:44:25,230 That's the only time I saw Martin Luther King, That's the only time I saw Martin Luther King,
812 00:44:25,314 00:44:27,232 uh, shed a tear. uh, shed a tear.
813 00:44:28,859 00:44:31,987 We gave him the power. We gave him the power.
814 00:44:32,780 00:44:36,367 All of us working together All of us working together
815 00:44:36,450 00:44:38,869 got the Voting Rights Act passed. got the Voting Rights Act passed.
816 00:44:38,952 00:44:41,830 Lyndon Johnson understood that, Lyndon Johnson understood that,
817 00:44:41,914 00:44:46,085 while he had been an impediment to civil rights for decades, while he had been an impediment to civil rights for decades,
818 00:44:46,168 00:44:49,505 the time had changed and it was time for him to change. the time had changed and it was time for him to change.
819 00:44:49,588 00:44:51,298 But more importantly, he understood that if But more importantly, he understood that if
820 00:44:51,382 00:44:55,260 the power of the right to vote was truly made available, the power of the right to vote was truly made available,
821 00:44:55,344 00:44:57,096 it would change the future of this nation. it would change the future of this nation.
822 00:45:25,165 00:45:28,377 I'm the product of the Voting Rights Act. I'm the product of the Voting Rights Act.
823 00:45:29,753 00:45:31,338 An act that was bought and paid for An act that was bought and paid for
824 00:45:31,422 00:45:33,882 on Edmund Pettus Bridge. on Edmund Pettus Bridge.
825 00:45:33,966 00:45:35,467 With foot soldiers who believed With foot soldiers who believed
826 00:45:35,551 00:45:37,761 that they had the right to be there. that they had the right to be there.
827 00:45:37,845 00:45:40,264 Because when you stood up and went across that bridge, Because when you stood up and went across that bridge,
828 00:45:40,347 00:45:42,474 those were the wings of the eagles those were the wings of the eagles
829 00:45:42,558 00:45:44,393 - that Isaiah talked about. - Yes. - that Isaiah talked about. - Yes.
830 00:45:44,476 00:45:46,979 It may have looked like feet marching across the bridge, It may have looked like feet marching across the bridge,
831 00:45:47,062 00:45:48,522 but that was flight. but that was flight.
832 00:45:53,402 00:45:56,905 Days after the Voting Rights Act was passed, Days after the Voting Rights Act was passed,
833 00:45:56,989 00:45:59,032 there were federal officials in the South there were federal officials in the South
834 00:45:59,116 00:46:02,369 registering African Americans to vote for the first time registering African Americans to vote for the first time
835 00:46:02,453 00:46:03,954 in counties where Black people in counties where Black people
836 00:46:04,037 00:46:06,290 hadn't been able to register for decades. hadn't been able to register for decades.
837 00:46:06,373 00:46:08,625 This was truly revolutionary. This was truly revolutionary.
838 00:46:12,337 00:46:17,301 By 1967, two years after the Voting Rights Act, By 1967, two years after the Voting Rights Act,
839 00:46:17,384 00:46:21,555 almost 60% of Black adults in Mississippi almost 60% of Black adults in Mississippi
840 00:46:21,638 00:46:23,807 registered to vote. registered to vote.
841 00:46:25,017 00:46:26,810 Game changer. Game changer.
842 00:46:45,746 00:46:47,581 September of 2018, September of 2018,
843 00:46:47,664 00:46:50,334 I went home to visit my grandmother. I went home to visit my grandmother.
844 00:46:56,715 00:47:01,053 And Grandma had a recliner that sat right next to her bed. And Grandma had a recliner that sat right next to her bed.
845 00:47:03,263 00:47:05,516 When you go to visit my grandma, you sat down When you go to visit my grandma, you sat down
846 00:47:05,599 00:47:07,226 because you did not want to interrupt because you did not want to interrupt
847 00:47:07,309 00:47:09,520 whatever it was she was watching. whatever it was she was watching.
848 00:47:11,230 00:47:14,274 And so, I sat on the bedside waiting for her attention, And so, I sat on the bedside waiting for her attention,
849 00:47:14,358 00:47:18,403 and, uh, she turned to me. and, uh, she turned to me.
850 00:47:18,487 00:47:20,447 And unprompted, my grandmother reached for my hand, And unprompted, my grandmother reached for my hand,
851 00:47:20,531 00:47:24,201 and she started telling me about the first time she voted. and she started telling me about the first time she voted.
852 00:47:25,619 00:47:26,954 It was three years after It was three years after
853 00:47:27,037 00:47:29,498 the adoption of the Voting Rights Act. the adoption of the Voting Rights Act.
854 00:47:29,581 00:47:31,917 But it was the first time for most African Americans But it was the first time for most African Americans
855 00:47:32,000 00:47:33,669 that they really would have a chance that they really would have a chance
856 00:47:33,752 00:47:35,337 to participate in an election. to participate in an election.
857 00:47:37,339 00:47:38,632 And this was during a time And this was during a time
858 00:47:38,715 00:47:40,175 where you put on your Sunday best where you put on your Sunday best
859 00:47:40,259 00:47:43,470 and you would make an event out of going to vote. and you would make an event out of going to vote.
860 00:47:44,805 00:47:46,974 My grandfather called for her from the front room. My grandfather called for her from the front room.
861 00:47:47,057 00:47:48,141 Her name was Wilter. Her name was Wilter.
862 00:47:48,225 00:47:49,476 And he's like, "Wilter, come on!" And he's like, "Wilter, come on!"
863 00:47:49,560 00:47:51,061 She didn't respond. She didn't respond.
864 00:47:51,144 00:47:52,521 Her nickname was Bill. Her nickname was Bill.
865 00:47:52,604 00:47:55,065 And so then he yelled out, "Bill, it's time to go." And so then he yelled out, "Bill, it's time to go."
866 00:47:55,148 00:47:58,569 And my grandmother said... she still didn't say anything. And my grandmother said... she still didn't say anything.
867 00:47:58,652 00:48:02,865 So he came back to find out why she hadn't responded. So he came back to find out why she hadn't responded.
868 00:48:02,948 00:48:07,077 And she was frozen. She was afraid to go. And she was frozen. She was afraid to go.
869 00:48:08,787 00:48:10,539 I remember her squeezing my hand I remember her squeezing my hand
870 00:48:10,622 00:48:14,251 and the feel of that paper-thin skin and the feel of that paper-thin skin
871 00:48:14,334 00:48:16,253 and the fragile bones and the fragile bones
872 00:48:16,336 00:48:18,297 but this grip that she had on my hand but this grip that she had on my hand
873 00:48:18,380 00:48:21,300 where she said that it wasn't that she didn't want to vote; where she said that it wasn't that she didn't want to vote;
874 00:48:21,383 00:48:22,843 she was afraid of it. she was afraid of it.
875 00:48:24,970 00:48:27,598 She was afraid of the billy clubs She was afraid of the billy clubs
876 00:48:27,681 00:48:30,893 and the hoses and the dogs, and she did not believe and the hoses and the dogs, and she did not believe
877 00:48:30,976 00:48:33,312 that this time would be any different. that this time would be any different.
878 00:48:33,395 00:48:36,732 She didn't believe that the power of democracy She didn't believe that the power of democracy
879 00:48:36,815 00:48:38,734 was finally hers. was finally hers.
880 00:48:40,360 00:48:43,363 And my grandfather told her that she had to get up, And my grandfather told her that she had to get up,
881 00:48:43,447 00:48:45,282 that her children had been in trouble that her children had been in trouble
882 00:48:45,365 00:48:46,867 trying to guarantee this right trying to guarantee this right
883 00:48:46,950 00:48:49,369 and that she owed it to them, if not to herself, and that she owed it to them, if not to herself,
884 00:48:49,453 00:48:50,913 to get up and vote. to get up and vote.
885 00:48:50,996 00:48:52,623 And she said she was still terrified, And she said she was still terrified,
886 00:48:52,706 00:48:55,292 she was still deeply afraid of this moment, she was still deeply afraid of this moment,
887 00:48:55,375 00:48:57,336 but she was also ashamed of herself. but she was also ashamed of herself.
888 00:48:57,419 00:49:00,589 She was ashamed that she didn't want to reach for this power. She was ashamed that she didn't want to reach for this power.
889 00:49:04,468 00:49:06,470 She got up, she finished getting dressed, She got up, she finished getting dressed,
890 00:49:06,553 00:49:08,722 and they went to vote. and they went to vote.
891 00:49:12,017 00:49:13,810 And as squeezed my hand, she said, "But, Stacey, And as squeezed my hand, she said, "But, Stacey,
892 00:49:13,894 00:49:15,520 I've never missed another election." I've never missed another election."
893 00:49:31,745 00:49:33,497 Mississippi and the other Mississippi and the other
894 00:49:33,580 00:49:38,293 Southern states are engaged in a life-and-death fight Southern states are engaged in a life-and-death fight
895 00:49:38,377 00:49:40,504 with the federal government. with the federal government.
896 00:49:40,587 00:49:43,382 What is this fight all about? What is this fight all about?
897 00:49:43,465 00:49:47,219 The Voting Rights Act of 1965. The Voting Rights Act of 1965.
898 00:49:47,302 00:49:51,139 Insofar as the Negro is concerned, Insofar as the Negro is concerned,
899 00:49:51,223 00:49:56,103 it will suspend all literacy requirements it will suspend all literacy requirements
900 00:49:56,186 00:49:58,313 of the Mississippi law. of the Mississippi law.
901 00:49:58,397 00:50:00,691 Georgia has no problem Georgia has no problem
902 00:50:00,774 00:50:03,402 with reference to voter registration. with reference to voter registration.
903 00:50:03,485 00:50:07,197 We do not need federal registrars in this state. We do not need federal registrars in this state.
904 00:50:07,280 00:50:10,993 I am unalterably opposed and will fight to the end I am unalterably opposed and will fight to the end
905 00:50:11,076 00:50:13,453 any attempts to reshape or mold our state any attempts to reshape or mold our state
906 00:50:13,537 00:50:15,831 to conform to the prescription written to conform to the prescription written
907 00:50:15,914 00:50:19,001 by dictatorial left-wing integrationist social planners by dictatorial left-wing integrationist social planners
908 00:50:19,084 00:50:21,753 daydreaming on the bank of the Potomac. daydreaming on the bank of the Potomac.
909 00:50:21,837 00:50:23,714 The Southern states challenged The Southern states challenged
910 00:50:23,797 00:50:25,799 the Voting Rights Act immediately the Voting Rights Act immediately
911 00:50:25,882 00:50:28,260 in the courts as unconstitutional. in the courts as unconstitutional.
912 00:50:28,343 00:50:29,553 But they fail. But they fail.
913 00:50:29,636 00:50:32,347 The Supreme Court upholds the law eight-to-one. The Supreme Court upholds the law eight-to-one.
914 00:50:37,310 00:50:39,312 If you frame the argument, If you frame the argument,
915 00:50:39,396 00:50:40,772 "Who doesn't believe that people "Who doesn't believe that people
916 00:50:40,856 00:50:42,399 should be allowed to vote?" should be allowed to vote?"
917 00:50:42,482 00:50:45,235 while there will be some people that will raise their hand, while there will be some people that will raise their hand,
918 00:50:45,318 00:50:46,862 most Americans believe most Americans believe
919 00:50:46,945 00:50:49,406 that citizens should be allowed to vote. that citizens should be allowed to vote.
920 00:50:51,992 00:50:54,786 The bill that I will sign today The bill that I will sign today
921 00:50:54,870 00:50:57,330 extends the temporary provisions of the act extends the temporary provisions of the act
922 00:50:57,414 00:51:01,626 for seven more years and broadens the provisions for seven more years and broadens the provisions
923 00:51:01,710 00:51:05,756 to bar discrimination against Spanish-speaking Americans, to bar discrimination against Spanish-speaking Americans,
924 00:51:05,839 00:51:09,051 American Indians, Alaskan Natives American Indians, Alaskan Natives
925 00:51:09,134 00:51:11,803 and Asian Americans. and Asian Americans.
926 00:51:11,887 00:51:14,264 The Voting Rights Act began The Voting Rights Act began
927 00:51:14,347 00:51:16,224 with the former Confederate states, with the former Confederate states,
928 00:51:16,308 00:51:18,727 but this was a law that understood but this was a law that understood
929 00:51:18,810 00:51:21,855 that discrimination could crop up anywhere. that discrimination could crop up anywhere.
930 00:51:21,938 00:51:23,815 The state of Arizona was such a bad actor The state of Arizona was such a bad actor
931 00:51:23,899 00:51:26,401 that in 1975 the U.S. Justice Department that in 1975 the U.S. Justice Department
932 00:51:26,485 00:51:30,530 added Arizona to the process because of their long history added Arizona to the process because of their long history
933 00:51:30,614 00:51:33,575 of discrimination against Latinos and Native Americans. of discrimination against Latinos and Native Americans.
934 00:51:37,162 00:51:40,582 Hispanics were facing some of the same kind of things Hispanics were facing some of the same kind of things
935 00:51:40,665 00:51:43,919 in Arizona, in Texas, across the Southwest, in Arizona, in Texas, across the Southwest,
936 00:51:44,002 00:51:47,506 that African Americans faced in the segregated South. that African Americans faced in the segregated South.
937 00:51:49,925 00:51:54,012 Things like literacy tests, voter intimidation. Things like literacy tests, voter intimidation.
938 00:51:54,888 00:51:57,099 They said, "We need protection They said, "We need protection
939 00:51:57,182 00:51:59,810 in the Voting Rights Act as well." in the Voting Rights Act as well."
940 00:52:00,685 00:52:02,270 Maricopa County is the largest Maricopa County is the largest
941 00:52:02,354 00:52:05,148 and most important county in Arizona. and most important county in Arizona.
942 00:52:06,358 00:52:09,528 From 1960 to 1964, From 1960 to 1964,
943 00:52:09,611 00:52:14,699 William Rehnquist was in charge of ballot security operations William Rehnquist was in charge of ballot security operations
944 00:52:14,783 00:52:17,452 for the Republican Party of Maricopa County. for the Republican Party of Maricopa County.
945 00:52:17,536 00:52:20,080 This was called Operation Eagle Eye. This was called Operation Eagle Eye.
946 00:52:21,248 00:52:23,416 And what Rehnquist and others did And what Rehnquist and others did
947 00:52:23,500 00:52:26,878 was they went to Democratic parts of Phoenix was they went to Democratic parts of Phoenix
948 00:52:26,962 00:52:30,257 and they asked Latino and African American voters and they asked Latino and African American voters
949 00:52:30,340 00:52:32,342 if they could read the Constitution. if they could read the Constitution.
950 00:52:32,425 00:52:35,595 So, this was a de facto literacy test. So, this was a de facto literacy test.
951 00:52:35,679 00:52:37,305 And if people could not read it And if people could not read it
952 00:52:37,389 00:52:39,724 to the satisfaction of Rehnquist and others, to the satisfaction of Rehnquist and others,
953 00:52:39,808 00:52:42,644 Rehnquist challenged their eligibility to vote. Rehnquist challenged their eligibility to vote.
954 00:52:44,938 00:52:46,356 William Rehnquist, the future William Rehnquist, the future
955 00:52:46,439 00:52:48,567 chief justice of the Supreme Court, chief justice of the Supreme Court,
956 00:52:48,650 00:52:51,778 was on the front lines of voter suppression was on the front lines of voter suppression
957 00:52:51,862 00:52:56,658 in Maricopa County, Arizona, all the way back in the 1960s. in Maricopa County, Arizona, all the way back in the 1960s.
958 00:52:59,911 00:53:03,290 America's most unwelcoming prison regime America's most unwelcoming prison regime
959 00:53:03,373 00:53:05,667 likes to advertise it always has vacancies. likes to advertise it always has vacancies.
960 00:53:05,750 00:53:09,963 It shows I will always have room for illegals. It shows I will always have room for illegals.
961 00:53:10,046 00:53:11,965 The man who calls himself The man who calls himself
962 00:53:12,048 00:53:13,425 America's toughest sheriff America's toughest sheriff
963 00:53:13,508 00:53:16,219 makes his prison as unpleasant as possible. makes his prison as unpleasant as possible.
964 00:53:16,303 00:53:18,597 Arpaio became Arpaio became
965 00:53:18,680 00:53:22,434 the face of terror for our community. the face of terror for our community.
966 00:53:24,519 00:53:27,856 We would see posses going to neighborhoods We would see posses going to neighborhoods
967 00:53:27,939 00:53:29,608 to do roundups. to do roundups.
968 00:53:29,691 00:53:34,779 There were checkpoints to ask people for their papers. There were checkpoints to ask people for their papers.
969 00:53:36,281 00:53:39,284 It created a righteous anger, saying that we deserve more It created a righteous anger, saying that we deserve more
970 00:53:39,367 00:53:44,122 and we do not deserve to live under this. and we do not deserve to live under this.
971 00:53:45,457 00:53:48,376 We gotta tell the whole world! We gotta tell the whole world!
972 00:53:48,460 00:53:50,670 This is ACE territory! This is ACE territory!
973 00:53:50,754 00:53:52,464 I said, my people! I said, my people!
974 00:53:52,547 00:53:53,632 Yeah! Yeah!
975 00:53:53,715 00:53:55,759 - We got a story! - Yeah! - We got a story! - Yeah!
976 00:53:55,842 00:53:58,595 We gotta tell the whole world! We gotta tell the whole world!
977 00:53:58,678 00:54:00,972 This is ACE territory! This is ACE territory!
978 00:54:01,056 00:54:03,183 All right. How's everybody doing? All right. How's everybody doing?
979 00:54:03,266 00:54:04,559 - Good. - Good? - Good. - Good?
980 00:54:04,643 00:54:06,353 How's everybody doing, y'all? How's everybody doing, y'all?
981 00:54:06,436 00:54:08,521 - Good. - All right, dope. - Good. - All right, dope.
982 00:54:08,605 00:54:12,025 About almost three years ago, it was my first day at LUCHA. About almost three years ago, it was my first day at LUCHA.
983 00:54:12,108 00:54:13,652 And Stephanie was up here at the front, And Stephanie was up here at the front,
984 00:54:13,735 00:54:14,819 and she was talking about and she was talking about
985 00:54:14,903 00:54:16,529 how we're gonna register a lot of people to vote. how we're gonna register a lot of people to vote.
986 00:54:16,613 00:54:18,365 And I remember her giving me the clipboard, right? And I remember her giving me the clipboard, right?
987 00:54:18,448 00:54:20,742 And she was like, "All right, we're gonna go to Walmart." And she was like, "All right, we're gonna go to Walmart."
988 00:54:20,825 00:54:23,370 And I was so scared. And I was so scared.
989 00:54:23,453 00:54:25,163 ♪ I'm still hopin' for the tours wide open... ♪ ♪ I'm still hopin' for the tours wide open... ♪
990 00:54:25,247 00:54:27,374 Our volunteers are standing on the shoulders Our volunteers are standing on the shoulders
991 00:54:27,457 00:54:30,919 of folks that have paved the way for us to be able of folks that have paved the way for us to be able
992 00:54:31,002 00:54:34,631 to cast that ballot and become part of to cast that ballot and become part of
993 00:54:34,714 00:54:39,594 a power community that is now impacting policies. a power community that is now impacting policies.
994 00:54:39,678 00:54:41,638 Hi. Hi.
995 00:54:41,721 00:54:43,515 Are you a registered voter? Are you a registered voter?
996 00:54:43,598 00:54:45,225 No? How come? No? How come?
997 00:54:45,308 00:54:46,851 Are you a citizen? Are you a citizen?
998 00:54:46,935 00:54:48,228 Hola. Hola.
999 00:54:53,483 00:54:56,069 There is always a debate on: There is always a debate on:
1000 00:54:56,152 00:54:58,905 Why aren't our communities participating? Why aren't our communities participating?
1001 00:54:58,989 00:55:01,574 - I'm already registered. - Oh, you are? What about y'all? - I'm already registered. - Oh, you are? What about y'all?
1002 00:55:01,658 00:55:02,909 No, I'm not. No, I'm not.
1003 00:55:02,993 00:55:04,703 No? How come? No? How come?
1004 00:55:04,786 00:55:06,121 I don't know. I don't... I don't know. I don't...
1005 00:55:06,204 00:55:08,665 I don't trust poli... politicians. I don't trust poli... politicians.
1006 00:55:08,748 00:55:10,041 No, you're right. No, you're right.
1007 00:55:10,125 00:55:11,835 And so it's like, I'm out here doing my thing. And so it's like, I'm out here doing my thing.
1008 00:55:11,918 00:55:13,420 No, heck yeah. I feel like... No, heck yeah. I feel like...
1009 00:55:13,503 00:55:15,046 I-I mean, that's how I thought, too, right? I-I mean, that's how I thought, too, right?
1010 00:55:15,130 00:55:18,216 The most important part of voter registration The most important part of voter registration
1011 00:55:18,300 00:55:20,343 is that human connection is that human connection
1012 00:55:20,427 00:55:24,347 and being able to understand why that person and being able to understand why that person
1013 00:55:24,431 00:55:26,182 does not trust. does not trust.
1014 00:55:30,145 00:55:34,190 Intimidation from the government is real. Intimidation from the government is real.
1015 00:55:34,274 00:55:36,693 It is powerful. It is powerful.
1016 00:55:36,776 00:55:39,362 And it is because of the changing demographics And it is because of the changing demographics
1017 00:55:39,446 00:55:40,780 in the nation. in the nation.
1018 00:55:40,864 00:55:46,328 It is the fear of what this larger vote can mean. It is the fear of what this larger vote can mean.
1019 00:55:54,210 00:55:58,006 ♪ It's a beautiful day ♪ ♪ It's a beautiful day ♪
1020 00:55:58,089 00:56:02,093 ♪ Don't let it get away ♪ ♪ Don't let it get away ♪
1021 00:56:02,177 00:56:06,056 ♪ Beautiful day ♪ ♪ Beautiful day ♪
1022 00:56:09,851 00:56:11,728 ♪ Touch me... ♪ ♪ Touch me... ♪
1023 00:56:11,811 00:56:14,647 If there is anyone out there If there is anyone out there
1024 00:56:14,731 00:56:18,360 who still doubts that America is a place who still doubts that America is a place
1025 00:56:18,443 00:56:21,738 where all things are possible, where all things are possible,
1026 00:56:21,821 00:56:23,865 who still wonders who still wonders
1027 00:56:23,948 00:56:28,453 if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, if the dream of our founders is alive in our time,
1028 00:56:28,536 00:56:32,874 who still questions the power of our democracy, who still questions the power of our democracy,
1029 00:56:32,957 00:56:36,044 tonight is your answer. tonight is your answer.
1030 00:56:43,343 00:56:45,470 Opponents of the Voting Rights Act Opponents of the Voting Rights Act
1031 00:56:45,553 00:56:47,597 seized on Barack Obama's election seized on Barack Obama's election
1032 00:56:47,680 00:56:49,391 as a reason why the Voting Rights Act as a reason why the Voting Rights Act
1033 00:56:49,474 00:56:51,518 was no longer necessary. was no longer necessary.
1034 00:56:52,852 00:56:56,898 At the very moment that you see the ultimate progress, At the very moment that you see the ultimate progress,
1035 00:56:56,981 00:57:00,318 you see conservatives embracing that progress you see conservatives embracing that progress
1036 00:57:00,402 00:57:02,779 as a reason to try to get rid of the law as a reason to try to get rid of the law
1037 00:57:02,862 00:57:05,323 that made Obama's election possible. that made Obama's election possible.
1038 00:57:06,783 00:57:09,744 Barack Obama scared the bejeebers out of them. Barack Obama scared the bejeebers out of them.
1039 00:57:11,246 00:57:16,209 He brought 15 million new voters to the polls. He brought 15 million new voters to the polls.
1040 00:57:18,253 00:57:21,297 This is what we should be celebrating: This is what we should be celebrating:
1041 00:57:21,381 00:57:24,759 bringing 15 million new people bringing 15 million new people
1042 00:57:24,843 00:57:28,763 into this incredible civic society, into this incredible civic society,
1043 00:57:28,847 00:57:30,473 engaged in this democracy, engaged in this democracy,
1044 00:57:30,557 00:57:33,476 believing that they have a stake in this democracy believing that they have a stake in this democracy
1045 00:57:33,560 00:57:36,563 and getting out to vote. and getting out to vote.
1046 00:57:36,646 00:57:40,608 Instead, that Obama coalition Instead, that Obama coalition
1047 00:57:40,692 00:57:44,821 becomes the hit list for voter suppression. becomes the hit list for voter suppression.
1048 00:57:44,904 00:57:48,450 How do we stop African Americans, How do we stop African Americans,
1049 00:57:48,533 00:57:51,202 Hispanics, Asian Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans,
1050 00:57:51,286 00:57:55,415 the young and the poor from voting? the young and the poor from voting?
1051 00:57:56,875 00:58:01,921 The Supreme Court decision, Shelby County v. Holder, The Supreme Court decision, Shelby County v. Holder,
1052 00:58:02,005 00:58:04,257 allowed that to happen. allowed that to happen.
1053 00:58:11,014 00:58:13,683 Shelby County, Alabama... Shelby County, Alabama...
1054 00:58:13,766 00:58:15,852 there was an election there there was an election there
1055 00:58:15,935 00:58:18,521 in which the districts were redrawn... in which the districts were redrawn...
1056 00:58:21,774 00:58:25,445 ...so that the only African American ...so that the only African American
1057 00:58:25,528 00:58:28,823 city council member lost his race. city council member lost his race.
1058 00:58:28,907 00:58:31,034 Voter suppression and gerrymandering Voter suppression and gerrymandering
1059 00:58:31,117 00:58:33,745 are two sides of the same coin: are two sides of the same coin:
1060 00:58:33,828 00:58:36,456 efforts by politicians in power efforts by politicians in power
1061 00:58:36,539 00:58:38,458 to try to manipulate the process to try to manipulate the process
1062 00:58:38,541 00:58:41,461 to benefit themselves at the expense of others. to benefit themselves at the expense of others.
1063 00:58:41,544 00:58:43,213 Gerrymandering is a real problem. Gerrymandering is a real problem.
1064 00:58:43,296 00:58:45,757 It's the practice of drawing voting districts It's the practice of drawing voting districts
1065 00:58:45,840 00:58:47,634 in a way that creates unfair advantages in a way that creates unfair advantages
1066 00:58:47,717 00:58:49,594 for whoever happens to be drawing the lines. for whoever happens to be drawing the lines.
1067 00:58:49,677 00:58:52,055 In the age of computers, In the age of computers,
1068 00:58:52,138 00:58:54,098 you can gerrymander with scientific precision. you can gerrymander with scientific precision.
1069 00:58:54,182 00:58:55,892 You can run in and out of alleys You can run in and out of alleys
1070 00:58:55,975 00:58:57,393 and up and down streets and up and down streets
1071 00:58:57,477 00:59:00,396 and carefully include and exclude whichever voters and carefully include and exclude whichever voters
1072 00:59:00,480 00:59:03,107 you want in one district and not in another. you want in one district and not in another.
1073 00:59:03,191 00:59:05,610 Shouldn't all of this be illegal? Shouldn't all of this be illegal?
1074 00:59:05,693 00:59:06,986 Well, that's complicated. Well, that's complicated.
1075 00:59:07,070 00:59:08,446 Because if you are gerrymandering Because if you are gerrymandering
1076 00:59:08,530 00:59:10,156 to disadvantage minorities, to disadvantage minorities,
1077 00:59:10,240 00:59:13,576 yes, that is illegal under the Voting Rights Act, yes, that is illegal under the Voting Rights Act,
1078 00:59:13,660 00:59:15,828 but if you are gerrymandering to disadvantage but if you are gerrymandering to disadvantage
1079 00:59:15,912 00:59:17,664 voters of an opposing party, voters of an opposing party,
1080 00:59:17,747 00:59:19,958 that has generally been allowed. that has generally been allowed.
1081 00:59:28,800 00:59:34,389 Shelby County willfully violated federal law. Shelby County willfully violated federal law.
1082 00:59:34,472 00:59:36,933 They didn't bother to go up to the Department of Justice They didn't bother to go up to the Department of Justice
1083 00:59:37,016 00:59:38,643 to check on whether it was okay to check on whether it was okay
1084 00:59:38,726 00:59:41,354 as they were changing the voting boundaries as they were changing the voting boundaries
1085 00:59:41,437 00:59:43,648 as the Voting Rights Act required. as the Voting Rights Act required.
1086 00:59:43,731 00:59:47,235 When they got called on it, when they got sued, When they got called on it, when they got sued,
1087 00:59:47,318 00:59:49,445 they said, "We didn't do anything wrong. they said, "We didn't do anything wrong.
1088 00:59:49,529 00:59:51,406 The era of racism is over." The era of racism is over."
1089 00:59:53,908 00:59:56,578 What had been bipartisan before What had been bipartisan before
1090 00:59:56,661 01:00:02,125 became extremely partisan after the election of Barack Obama. became extremely partisan after the election of Barack Obama.
1091 01:00:02,208 01:00:06,462 You know, people tend to forget that Republicans supported it. You know, people tend to forget that Republicans supported it.
1092 01:00:06,546 01:00:08,756 Every reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act Every reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act
1093 01:00:08,840 01:00:10,800 was signed by a Republican president. was signed by a Republican president.
1094 01:00:10,883 01:00:12,760 I think that democracy, if it's to work, I think that democracy, if it's to work,
1095 01:00:12,844 01:00:14,929 then everybody that's eligible to be a voter then everybody that's eligible to be a voter
1096 01:00:15,013 01:00:17,056 should be registered, and they should vote. should be registered, and they should vote.
1097 01:00:17,140 01:00:20,184 I am proud to sign the Voting Rights Act I am proud to sign the Voting Rights Act
1098 01:00:20,268 01:00:24,272 Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006. Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006.
1099 01:00:24,355 01:00:26,232 Ronald Reagan called it Ronald Reagan called it
1100 01:00:26,316 01:00:29,068 the crown jewel of American democracy, the crown jewel of American democracy,
1101 01:00:29,152 01:00:31,904 but with every subsequent reauthorization, but with every subsequent reauthorization,
1102 01:00:31,988 01:00:34,198 there's a legal challenge brought. there's a legal challenge brought.
1103 01:00:40,163 01:00:42,915 It's a seemingly coordinated strategy It's a seemingly coordinated strategy
1104 01:00:42,999 01:00:45,585 that we have seen waged by opponents that we have seen waged by opponents
1105 01:00:45,668 01:00:49,380 to rip out the heart of the Voting Rights Act. to rip out the heart of the Voting Rights Act.
1106 01:00:49,464 01:00:51,007 It was almost a strategy of, It was almost a strategy of,
1107 01:00:51,090 01:00:53,343 "Let's throw spaghetti against the wall "Let's throw spaghetti against the wall
1108 01:00:53,426 01:00:55,345 and see which one sticks." and see which one sticks."
1109 01:00:58,973 01:01:01,809 The Shelby County case is the one The Shelby County case is the one
1110 01:01:01,893 01:01:05,271 that survived the lower courts that survived the lower courts
1111 01:01:05,355 01:01:10,360 and winded its way up to the Supreme Court. and winded its way up to the Supreme Court.
1112 01:01:11,944 01:01:13,655 The Supreme Court hears a challenge The Supreme Court hears a challenge
1113 01:01:13,738 01:01:16,824 to the Voting Rights Act of 1965. to the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
1114 01:01:16,908 01:01:17,992 Its detractors say Its detractors say
1115 01:01:18,076 01:01:20,203 the Voting Rights Act is out of date. the Voting Rights Act is out of date.
1116 01:01:20,286 01:01:23,581 Its defenders consider it a needed bulwark for justice. Its defenders consider it a needed bulwark for justice.
1117 01:01:23,665 01:01:25,792 The Voting Rights Act requires nine states The Voting Rights Act requires nine states
1118 01:01:25,875 01:01:29,128 to get federal approval of changes to their election laws. to get federal approval of changes to their election laws.
1119 01:01:29,212 01:01:31,047 From a lawyer's point of view, From a lawyer's point of view,
1120 01:01:31,130 01:01:35,218 this is a valid legal case and it could be honorably argued. this is a valid legal case and it could be honorably argued.
1121 01:01:35,301 01:01:39,263 And that's the business we're in, so we took the case. And that's the business we're in, so we took the case.
1122 01:01:39,347 01:01:40,848 We'll hear argument first We'll hear argument first
1123 01:01:40,932 01:01:43,643 this morning in case Shelby County v. Holder. this morning in case Shelby County v. Holder.
1124 01:01:43,726 01:01:45,311 Mr. Rein? Mr. Rein?
1125 01:01:45,395 01:01:47,980 Mr. Chief Justice, and may it please the court... Mr. Chief Justice, and may it please the court...
1126 01:01:48,064 01:01:49,607 We argued that the Voting Rights Act We argued that the Voting Rights Act
1127 01:01:49,691 01:01:52,485 was probably one of the deepest intrusions was probably one of the deepest intrusions
1128 01:01:52,568 01:01:54,696 of the federal government into areas of the federal government into areas
1129 01:01:54,779 01:01:57,198 that states traditionally administered. that states traditionally administered.
1130 01:01:57,281 01:01:59,826 Think that that really doesn't mask the need Think that that really doesn't mask the need
1131 01:01:59,909 01:02:02,829 for equal treatment of the sovereign states. for equal treatment of the sovereign states.
1132 01:02:02,912 01:02:04,914 I'm gonna have a hard time with that. I'm gonna have a hard time with that.
1133 01:02:04,997 01:02:06,624 You can't treat states the same, You can't treat states the same,
1134 01:02:06,708 01:02:08,084 because their problems are different, because their problems are different,
1135 01:02:08,167 01:02:09,460 their populations are different, their populations are different,
1136 01:02:09,544 01:02:10,712 their needs are different. their needs are different.
1137 01:02:10,795 01:02:11,879 Everything's different. Everything's different.
1138 01:02:11,963 01:02:13,464 All of the noncovered states All of the noncovered states
1139 01:02:13,548 01:02:16,676 are worse in that regard than the nine covered states. are worse in that regard than the nine covered states.
1140 01:02:16,759 01:02:18,511 - Is that correct? - J-Justice Scalia... - Is that correct? - J-Justice Scalia...
1141 01:02:18,594 01:02:20,138 Every-every one of them is worse? Every-every one of them is worse?
1142 01:02:20,221 01:02:21,806 Justice Scalia, it's-it's a fair question. Justice Scalia, it's-it's a fair question.
1143 01:02:21,889 01:02:23,474 - It... - Not just a fair one. - It... - Not just a fair one.
1144 01:02:23,558 01:02:25,059 It's the crucial question. It's the crucial question.
1145 01:02:25,143 01:02:26,853 The South has changed and made progress, The South has changed and made progress,
1146 01:02:26,936 01:02:29,147 but some things remain stubbornly the same, but some things remain stubbornly the same,
1147 01:02:29,230 01:02:31,065 and the trained effort and the trained effort
1148 01:02:31,149 01:02:33,776 to deny African American voters the franchise to deny African American voters the franchise
1149 01:02:33,860 01:02:37,071 is part of Alabama's history to this very day. is part of Alabama's history to this very day.
1150 01:02:37,155 01:02:39,365 Have there been episodes... egregious episodes... Have there been episodes... egregious episodes...
1151 01:02:39,449 01:02:41,200 of the kind you're talking about of the kind you're talking about
1152 01:02:41,284 01:02:42,869 in states that are not covered? in states that are not covered?
1153 01:02:42,952 01:02:44,662 Absolutely, Chief Justice Roberts. Absolutely, Chief Justice Roberts.
1154 01:02:44,746 01:02:47,290 Well, then it doesn't seem to help you make the point Well, then it doesn't seem to help you make the point
1155 01:02:47,373 01:02:50,209 that the differential treatment continues to be justified. that the differential treatment continues to be justified.
1156 01:02:50,293 01:02:53,129 John Roberts had it out for the Voting Rights Act John Roberts had it out for the Voting Rights Act
1157 01:02:53,212 01:02:55,840 as far back as 1982. as far back as 1982.
1158 01:02:55,923 01:02:59,761 Early in his political career, it was John Roberts's job Early in his political career, it was John Roberts's job
1159 01:02:59,844 01:03:01,971 to try to prevent the Congress to try to prevent the Congress
1160 01:03:02,054 01:03:04,599 from reauthorizing the Voting Rights Act. from reauthorizing the Voting Rights Act.
1161 01:03:05,516 01:03:06,726 John Roberts, John Roberts,
1162 01:03:06,809 01:03:09,645 his mentor was William Rehnquist. his mentor was William Rehnquist.
1163 01:03:09,729 01:03:12,899 This is why this lineage is so important. This is why this lineage is so important.
1164 01:03:12,982 01:03:16,569 Because he hated the Voting Rights Act. Because he hated the Voting Rights Act.
1165 01:03:17,862 01:03:20,239 I knew that this was an important act. I knew that this was an important act.
1166 01:03:20,323 01:03:22,366 I knew that it was doing important work, I knew that it was doing important work,
1167 01:03:22,450 01:03:24,285 and I knew that it would be a disaster and I knew that it would be a disaster
1168 01:03:24,368 01:03:26,537 for the court to strike it down. for the court to strike it down.
1169 01:03:30,750 01:03:33,753 A controversial ruling today by the Supreme Court. A controversial ruling today by the Supreme Court.
1170 01:03:33,836 01:03:35,671 Five-to-four, the U.S. Supreme Court Five-to-four, the U.S. Supreme Court
1171 01:03:35,755 01:03:39,008 took the teeth out of a law enacted nearly 50 years ago. took the teeth out of a law enacted nearly 50 years ago.
1172 01:03:39,091 01:03:42,178 It invalidated a key part of the Voting Rights Act. It invalidated a key part of the Voting Rights Act.
1173 01:03:42,261 01:03:43,763 Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg,
1174 01:03:43,846 01:03:46,849 joined by the three other liberal justices, said... joined by the three other liberal justices, said...
1175 01:04:01,906 01:04:05,034 I am deeply disappointed... deeply disappointed I am deeply disappointed... deeply disappointed
1176 01:04:05,117 01:04:07,912 with the court's decision in this matter. with the court's decision in this matter.
1177 01:04:07,995 01:04:09,205 This decision represents This decision represents
1178 01:04:09,288 01:04:11,332 a serious setback for voting rights a serious setback for voting rights
1179 01:04:11,415 01:04:14,210 and has the potential to negatively affect and has the potential to negatively affect
1180 01:04:14,293 01:04:16,838 millions of Americans across the country. millions of Americans across the country.
1181 01:04:16,921 01:04:18,464 I don't know if it's appropriate to say... I don't know if it's appropriate to say...
1182 01:04:18,548 01:04:20,174 I was pissed off by what the, uh... I was pissed off by what the, uh...
1183 01:04:20,258 01:04:21,384 by what the court did. by what the court did.
1184 01:04:21,467 01:04:23,761 - Thank you. - It really struck home - Thank you. - It really struck home
1185 01:04:23,845 01:04:25,763 that this was a political decision that this was a political decision
1186 01:04:25,847 01:04:27,640 that the court was making. that the court was making.
1187 01:04:27,723 01:04:30,184 Justice Ginsburg was correct. Justice Ginsburg was correct.
1188 01:04:30,268 01:04:31,686 If you have an umbrella If you have an umbrella
1189 01:04:31,769 01:04:34,188 that keeps you dry in the middle of a thunderstorm, that keeps you dry in the middle of a thunderstorm,
1190 01:04:34,272 01:04:35,898 the fact that you are dry doesn't mean the fact that you are dry doesn't mean
1191 01:04:35,982 01:04:37,525 that you don't need the umbrella. that you don't need the umbrella.
1192 01:04:37,608 01:04:39,777 Every single one of those states Every single one of those states
1193 01:04:39,861 01:04:43,656 that was covered previously by the Voting Rights Act was told, that was covered previously by the Voting Rights Act was told,
1194 01:04:43,739 01:04:46,075 "Never mind. We think you're good now. Go forth." "Never mind. We think you're good now. Go forth."
1195 01:04:46,158 01:04:49,620 The floodgates literally opened in 2013 The floodgates literally opened in 2013
1196 01:04:49,704 01:04:52,999 when the Supreme Court issued its ruling. when the Supreme Court issued its ruling.
1197 01:04:53,082 01:04:55,042 The ink on Tuesday's ruling wasn't even dry The ink on Tuesday's ruling wasn't even dry
1198 01:04:55,126 01:04:57,295 when Texas's Republican attorney general declared when Texas's Republican attorney general declared
1199 01:04:57,378 01:04:59,672 that his state's controversial voter I.D. law that his state's controversial voter I.D. law
1200 01:04:59,755 01:05:02,508 will take effect, quote, "immediately." will take effect, quote, "immediately."
1201 01:05:04,552 01:05:07,638 Just hours after the decision came down, Just hours after the decision came down,
1202 01:05:07,722 01:05:10,725 states began to implement voter suppression laws states began to implement voter suppression laws
1203 01:05:10,808 01:05:12,476 all across the country. all across the country.
1204 01:05:14,604 01:05:17,899 Texas took the lead on this one. Texas took the lead on this one.
1205 01:05:17,982 01:05:21,193 It spread like wildfire. It spread like wildfire.
1206 01:05:21,277 01:05:23,362 So, you're seeing them in Pennsylvania. So, you're seeing them in Pennsylvania.
1207 01:05:23,446 01:05:25,990 You're seeing them in Kansas. You're seeing them in Kansas.
1208 01:05:26,073 01:05:28,910 You're seeing them in Wisconsin. You're seeing them in Wisconsin.
1209 01:05:28,993 01:05:30,828 You're seeing them in Ohio. You're seeing them in Ohio.
1210 01:05:30,912 01:05:33,205 Nine more states are enforcing new laws Nine more states are enforcing new laws
1211 01:05:33,289 01:05:36,542 requiring eligible voters to present a government-issued requiring eligible voters to present a government-issued
1212 01:05:36,626 01:05:38,169 photo I.D. at the polls. photo I.D. at the polls.
1213 01:05:38,252 01:05:40,421 Overwhelming majority Overwhelming majority
1214 01:05:40,504 01:05:44,467 of Americans, regardless of their political views of Americans, regardless of their political views
1215 01:05:44,550 01:05:46,594 and regardless of their race or ethnicity, and regardless of their race or ethnicity,
1216 01:05:46,677 01:05:48,220 support voter I.D. laws. support voter I.D. laws.
1217 01:05:48,304 01:05:50,181 This is not Jim Crow. This is not Jim Crow.
1218 01:05:50,264 01:05:52,266 This is not a police dog. This is not a police dog.
1219 01:05:52,350 01:05:53,976 This is not a fire hose. This is not a fire hose.
1220 01:05:54,060 01:05:56,395 When you restrict access to the right to vote When you restrict access to the right to vote
1221 01:05:56,479 01:06:00,775 by creating a narrow set of I.D.'s that can be used, by creating a narrow set of I.D.'s that can be used,
1222 01:06:00,858 01:06:03,736 it's creating blocks to people being able to participate. it's creating blocks to people being able to participate.
1223 01:06:03,819 01:06:06,781 They try to make it seem rational They try to make it seem rational
1224 01:06:06,864 01:06:10,576 and facially neutral, racially neutral, but it's not. and facially neutral, racially neutral, but it's not.
1225 01:06:10,660 01:06:13,704 We had voters who were born in the Jim Crow South We had voters who were born in the Jim Crow South
1226 01:06:13,788 01:06:15,790 who had no birth certificates who had no birth certificates
1227 01:06:15,873 01:06:18,376 because white hospitals would not allow them because white hospitals would not allow them
1228 01:06:18,459 01:06:20,836 to give birth in their facilities. to give birth in their facilities.
1229 01:06:20,920 01:06:23,673 I had my Social Security card, my To Go Pass. I had my Social Security card, my To Go Pass.
1230 01:06:23,756 01:06:27,385 I had my UnitedHealthcare. I had my UnitedHealthcare.
1231 01:06:27,468 01:06:29,679 I had my red, white and blue card. I had my red, white and blue card.
1232 01:06:29,762 01:06:31,847 And I had my Ford card. And I had my Ford card.
1233 01:06:31,931 01:06:34,892 And that still wasn't enough to vote. And that still wasn't enough to vote.
1234 01:06:34,976 01:06:39,063 About 21 million Americans don't have strict forms About 21 million Americans don't have strict forms
1235 01:06:39,146 01:06:41,190 of government-issued I.D. of government-issued I.D.
1236 01:06:41,273 01:06:45,361 That works out to about ten percent of the electorate. That works out to about ten percent of the electorate.
1237 01:06:58,666 01:07:00,126 You know, you look at Texas. You know, you look at Texas.
1238 01:07:00,209 01:07:02,169 If you have a state-issued photo I.D. If you have a state-issued photo I.D.
1239 01:07:02,253 01:07:04,463 that says you're allowed to carry a concealed weapon, that says you're allowed to carry a concealed weapon,
1240 01:07:04,547 01:07:06,882 that's sufficient to allow you to vote. that's sufficient to allow you to vote.
1241 01:07:06,966 01:07:09,176 If, however, you have a state-issued photo I.D. If, however, you have a state-issued photo I.D.
1242 01:07:09,260 01:07:11,554 that says you're a student at the University of Texas, that says you're a student at the University of Texas,
1243 01:07:11,637 01:07:13,347 that's insufficient. that's insufficient.
1244 01:07:14,557 01:07:16,267 Young people in America, Young people in America,
1245 01:07:16,350 01:07:18,894 they could have the most power they could have the most power
1246 01:07:18,978 01:07:22,440 of any electoral bloc in the country. of any electoral bloc in the country.
1247 01:07:31,699 01:07:34,368 If you take out one or two campuses, If you take out one or two campuses,
1248 01:07:34,452 01:07:36,328 you can swing an election. you can swing an election.
1249 01:07:36,412 01:07:38,622 So, that's exactly what New Hampshire Republicans So, that's exactly what New Hampshire Republicans
1250 01:07:38,706 01:07:40,291 decided to do. decided to do.
1251 01:07:40,374 01:07:43,794 Studies will show that if you can get young adults Studies will show that if you can get young adults
1252 01:07:43,878 01:07:46,297 to vote between the ages of 18 and 24, to vote between the ages of 18 and 24,
1253 01:07:46,380 01:07:47,757 they're more likely to vote they're more likely to vote
1254 01:07:47,840 01:07:50,051 going further into their adulthood. going further into their adulthood.
1255 01:07:53,304 01:07:57,558 Once you strip someone their access of being able to vote, Once you strip someone their access of being able to vote,
1256 01:07:57,641 01:08:02,313 it takes away their role within our democracy. it takes away their role within our democracy.
1257 01:08:03,773 01:08:06,067 Voter suppression has often targeted communities Voter suppression has often targeted communities
1258 01:08:06,150 01:08:07,735 that are seen as nonnormative. that are seen as nonnormative.
1259 01:08:07,818 01:08:10,696 And we saw this come into sharp relief in North Dakota, And we saw this come into sharp relief in North Dakota,
1260 01:08:10,780 01:08:15,326 where a law that required a residential address where a law that required a residential address
1261 01:08:15,409 01:08:18,496 on driver's licenses seemed benign. on driver's licenses seemed benign.
1262 01:08:18,579 01:08:20,790 But the reality was that, for those communities, But the reality was that, for those communities,
1263 01:08:20,873 01:08:22,792 getting a residential address on a reservation getting a residential address on a reservation
1264 01:08:22,875 01:08:24,752 required that the state or local government required that the state or local government
1265 01:08:24,835 01:08:27,546 grant that to you, and it didn't happen. grant that to you, and it didn't happen.
1266 01:08:30,925 01:08:34,345 A majority of Indian country A majority of Indian country
1267 01:08:34,428 01:08:36,972 does not have physical addresses. does not have physical addresses.
1268 01:08:37,056 01:08:39,558 They use post office boxes. They use post office boxes.
1269 01:08:48,609 01:08:53,155 It became very evident that the law was created It became very evident that the law was created
1270 01:08:53,239 01:08:56,575 to suppress the Native American vote. to suppress the Native American vote.
1271 01:08:56,659 01:09:00,371 The only way to get recognition is to vote. The only way to get recognition is to vote.
1272 01:09:00,454 01:09:04,500 And that's what it is... a matter of survival. And that's what it is... a matter of survival.
1273 01:09:07,419 01:09:10,673 In Wisconsin, they put a new voter I.D. law in effect In Wisconsin, they put a new voter I.D. law in effect
1274 01:09:10,756 01:09:13,092 in the run-up to the 2016 election. in the run-up to the 2016 election.
1275 01:09:13,175 01:09:15,845 Lot of Republicans, since 1984, in the presidential races, Lot of Republicans, since 1984, in the presidential races,
1276 01:09:15,928 01:09:17,805 have not been able to win in Wisconsin. have not been able to win in Wisconsin.
1277 01:09:17,888 01:09:20,182 Why would it be any different for a Ted Cruz Why would it be any different for a Ted Cruz
1278 01:09:20,266 01:09:21,809 or a Donald Trump? or a Donald Trump?
1279 01:09:21,892 01:09:23,894 Well, I think Hillary Clinton is about the weakest candidate Well, I think Hillary Clinton is about the weakest candidate
1280 01:09:23,978 01:09:26,647 the Democrats have ever put up, and now we have photo I.D., the Democrats have ever put up, and now we have photo I.D.,
1281 01:09:26,730 01:09:28,524 and I think photo I.D. is gonna make and I think photo I.D. is gonna make
1282 01:09:28,607 01:09:30,192 a little bit of a difference as well. a little bit of a difference as well.
1283 01:09:30,276 01:09:34,989 Up to 23,000 people Up to 23,000 people
1284 01:09:35,072 01:09:37,908 were blocked or deterred from voting, were blocked or deterred from voting,
1285 01:09:37,992 01:09:40,953 and Donald Trump only won the state of Wisconsin and Donald Trump only won the state of Wisconsin
1286 01:09:41,036 01:09:43,914 by just over 22,000 votes. by just over 22,000 votes.
1287 01:09:43,998 01:09:47,918 So, this one restriction in Wisconsin alone So, this one restriction in Wisconsin alone
1288 01:09:48,002 01:09:50,337 had a huge impact on Donald Trump had a huge impact on Donald Trump
1289 01:09:50,421 01:09:53,174 becoming the next president of the United States. becoming the next president of the United States.
1290 01:09:58,012 01:10:01,098 Ohio has become, sadly, the leader in creating Ohio has become, sadly, the leader in creating
1291 01:10:01,182 01:10:03,559 certain types of-of voter suppression certain types of-of voter suppression
1292 01:10:03,642 01:10:05,436 that other states have followed. that other states have followed.
1293 01:10:05,519 01:10:08,731 And there's no bigger example of that than purging. And there's no bigger example of that than purging.
1294 01:10:12,651 01:10:15,905 There is certainly need to update your voting rolls. There is certainly need to update your voting rolls.
1295 01:10:15,988 01:10:18,407 People pass away. People move. People pass away. People move.
1296 01:10:18,490 01:10:21,535 There also are some states that are really smart about this. There also are some states that are really smart about this.
1297 01:10:21,619 01:10:23,787 Things like automatic voter registration. Things like automatic voter registration.
1298 01:10:23,871 01:10:25,497 But Ohio does the exact opposite. But Ohio does the exact opposite.
1299 01:10:25,581 01:10:27,333 Ohio's had a purging process Ohio's had a purging process
1300 01:10:27,416 01:10:30,920 where, if you don't vote in several elections where, if you don't vote in several elections
1301 01:10:31,003 01:10:33,005 and you don't respond to a postcard, and you don't respond to a postcard,
1302 01:10:33,088 01:10:34,882 you're knocked off the rolls. you're knocked off the rolls.
1303 01:10:34,965 01:10:37,051 When it comes to the right to vote, When it comes to the right to vote,
1304 01:10:37,134 01:10:39,678 Ohio is a "use it or lose it" state. Ohio is a "use it or lose it" state.
1305 01:10:39,762 01:10:41,847 In a split five-to-four decision, In a split five-to-four decision,
1306 01:10:41,931 01:10:44,225 the Supreme Court ruled that in Ohio the Supreme Court ruled that in Ohio
1307 01:10:44,308 01:10:46,393 you can be dropped from the voter rolls you can be dropped from the voter rolls
1308 01:10:46,477 01:10:49,438 if you do not vote for about six years if you do not vote for about six years
1309 01:10:49,521 01:10:51,482 and do not respond to a card and do not respond to a card
1310 01:10:51,565 01:10:53,108 the state sends you in the mail. the state sends you in the mail.
1311 01:10:53,192 01:10:55,236 They send you a postcard to your house. They send you a postcard to your house.
1312 01:10:55,319 01:10:58,322 It really does look like a piece of junk mail. It really does look like a piece of junk mail.
1313 01:10:58,405 01:11:01,325 If you don't send it back, they assume you're not there. If you don't send it back, they assume you're not there.
1314 01:11:01,408 01:11:02,576 Then they purge you from the roll. Then they purge you from the roll.
1315 01:11:02,660 01:11:04,161 They say, "Oh, this person didn't send it back. They say, "Oh, this person didn't send it back.
1316 01:11:04,245 01:11:05,454 We're gonna drop them." We're gonna drop them."
1317 01:11:05,537 01:11:07,581 They're not notified that they have been purged, They're not notified that they have been purged,
1318 01:11:07,665 01:11:08,749 and that-that's a problem. and that-that's a problem.
1319 01:11:08,832 01:11:11,543 In a state of less than 12 million, In a state of less than 12 million,
1320 01:11:11,627 01:11:13,879 two million have been purged. two million have been purged.
1321 01:11:13,963 01:11:15,589 A lot of people are on that list A lot of people are on that list
1322 01:11:15,673 01:11:17,549 'cause they move every year; they're poor. 'cause they move every year; they're poor.
1323 01:11:17,633 01:11:20,844 They're going from one place to the next to the next. They're going from one place to the next to the next.
1324 01:11:20,928 01:11:22,805 But also, it turns out But also, it turns out
1325 01:11:22,888 01:11:24,306 there are thousands and thousands there are thousands and thousands
1326 01:11:24,390 01:11:27,309 of people on this list who had voted recently, of people on this list who had voted recently,
1327 01:11:27,393 01:11:30,187 who were not supposed to be on the purge list. who were not supposed to be on the purge list.
1328 01:11:30,271 01:11:35,693 20% of those people were on in error... government error. 20% of those people were on in error... government error.
1329 01:11:35,776 01:11:37,403 And in the United States, And in the United States,
1330 01:11:37,486 01:11:39,863 the right to vote is the only right you can lose the right to vote is the only right you can lose
1331 01:11:39,947 01:11:41,240 for not using it. for not using it.
1332 01:11:41,323 01:11:43,617 You can decide not to go hunting on a Saturday, You can decide not to go hunting on a Saturday,
1333 01:11:43,701 01:11:45,786 and you don't lose your 2nd Amendment rights. and you don't lose your 2nd Amendment rights.
1334 01:11:45,869 01:11:48,497 But in nine states, it is the law of the land But in nine states, it is the law of the land
1335 01:11:48,580 01:11:50,040 that you can lose your right to vote that you can lose your right to vote
1336 01:11:50,124 01:11:51,375 simply for not using it. simply for not using it.
1337 01:11:54,878 01:11:56,714 After the Shelby decision, After the Shelby decision,
1338 01:11:56,797 01:12:00,968 we saw over 1,600 precincts close in the states we saw over 1,600 precincts close in the states
1339 01:12:01,051 01:12:03,721 that were once covered by the Voting Rights Act. that were once covered by the Voting Rights Act.
1340 01:12:03,804 01:12:05,681 And when you shut down a polling place And when you shut down a polling place
1341 01:12:05,764 01:12:07,474 where someone can go a mile to vote, where someone can go a mile to vote,
1342 01:12:07,558 01:12:09,184 and suddenly they have to go ten miles and suddenly they have to go ten miles
1343 01:12:09,268 01:12:12,104 and they don't have a car, they will not vote. and they don't have a car, they will not vote.
1344 01:12:13,814 01:12:16,734 Under Brian Kemp, 214 polling places Under Brian Kemp, 214 polling places
1345 01:12:16,817 01:12:19,278 shut down in the state of Georgia. shut down in the state of Georgia.
1346 01:12:19,361 01:12:22,156 He used the gutting of the Voting Rights Act He used the gutting of the Voting Rights Act
1347 01:12:22,239 01:12:23,907 almost immediately. almost immediately.
1348 01:12:24,825 01:12:26,785 Jim Crow 2.0. Jim Crow 2.0.
1349 01:12:26,869 01:12:28,579 That's what we're seeing. That's what we're seeing.
1350 01:12:28,662 01:12:32,708 When you look at Georgia in 2018, When you look at Georgia in 2018,
1351 01:12:32,791 01:12:36,045 it is the rise of Jim Crow again. it is the rise of Jim Crow again.
1352 01:12:41,884 01:12:43,552 The Shelby decision, The Shelby decision,
1353 01:12:43,635 01:12:45,596 what it did was give carte blanche what it did was give carte blanche
1354 01:12:45,679 01:12:47,598 to states like Georgia to states like Georgia
1355 01:12:47,681 01:12:51,435 to restore every racist trope they had. to restore every racist trope they had.
1356 01:12:51,518 01:12:53,729 Had I run for governor in 2012, Had I run for governor in 2012,
1357 01:12:53,812 01:12:56,440 it would have empirically been an easier election. it would have empirically been an easier election.
1358 01:12:58,859 01:13:01,278 By the time I was running for governor, By the time I was running for governor,
1359 01:13:01,362 01:13:03,781 I had had eight years of watching I had had eight years of watching
1360 01:13:03,864 01:13:06,575 the Secretary of State Brian Kemp the Secretary of State Brian Kemp
1361 01:13:06,658 01:13:10,412 build a national reputation for voter suppression. build a national reputation for voter suppression.
1362 01:13:10,496 01:13:12,414 We anticipated that voter suppression We anticipated that voter suppression
1363 01:13:12,498 01:13:14,792 was part of Brian Kemp's behavior. was part of Brian Kemp's behavior.
1364 01:13:14,875 01:13:16,710 What we couldn't anticipate was that What we couldn't anticipate was that
1365 01:13:16,794 01:13:19,171 I was going to be in a fight I was going to be in a fight
1366 01:13:19,254 01:13:22,341 with the very person who controlled the system. with the very person who controlled the system.
1367 01:13:25,010 01:13:26,595 I got a big truck I got a big truck
1368 01:13:26,678 01:13:29,139 just in case I need to round up criminal illegals just in case I need to round up criminal illegals
1369 01:13:29,223 01:13:30,432 and take 'em home myself. and take 'em home myself.
1370 01:13:30,516 01:13:33,936 Yep, I just said that. Yep, I just said that.
1371 01:13:34,019 01:13:35,229 Yeah, he just said that, Yeah, he just said that,
1372 01:13:35,312 01:13:37,398 and he's joining us now, the candidate who calls himself and he's joining us now, the candidate who calls himself
1373 01:13:37,481 01:13:40,192 "a politically incorrect conservative," "a politically incorrect conservative,"
1374 01:13:40,275 01:13:42,361 current Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp. current Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp.
1375 01:13:42,444 01:13:44,029 Good morning, sir. Good morning, sir.
1376 01:13:44,113 01:13:46,073 Morning, guys. Great to be on with you. Morning, guys. Great to be on with you.
1377 01:13:48,700 01:13:52,746 Brian Kemp had the ability to not only be Brian Kemp had the ability to not only be
1378 01:13:52,830 01:13:54,289 the candidate in the race, the candidate in the race,
1379 01:13:54,373 01:13:56,583 but he was also running the election. but he was also running the election.
1380 01:13:56,667 01:14:00,337 He was the constitutionally authorized election supervisor. He was the constitutionally authorized election supervisor.
1381 01:14:00,421 01:14:04,007 That would have been illegal in virtually every other That would have been illegal in virtually every other
1382 01:14:04,091 01:14:07,803 advanced democracy in the entire world. advanced democracy in the entire world.
1383 01:14:09,596 01:14:13,434 We sued Brian Kemp multiple times We sued Brian Kemp multiple times
1384 01:14:13,517 01:14:17,896 over his efforts to lock people out of the ballot box. over his efforts to lock people out of the ballot box.
1385 01:14:17,980 01:14:21,275 One of his most nefarious schemes One of his most nefarious schemes
1386 01:14:21,358 01:14:23,402 was called "exact match." was called "exact match."
1387 01:14:23,485 01:14:25,320 More than 53,000 Georgia residents More than 53,000 Georgia residents
1388 01:14:25,404 01:14:27,656 have had their registrations put on hold have had their registrations put on hold
1389 01:14:27,739 01:14:30,200 thanks to a policy that requires their applications thanks to a policy that requires their applications
1390 01:14:30,284 01:14:33,370 to precisely match information from other state agencies. to precisely match information from other state agencies.
1391 01:14:33,454 01:14:36,623 Georgia's population is approximately 32% Black, Georgia's population is approximately 32% Black,
1392 01:14:36,707 01:14:38,959 but the list of voter registrations on hold but the list of voter registrations on hold
1393 01:14:39,042 01:14:41,170 is nearly 70% Black. is nearly 70% Black.
1394 01:14:42,713 01:14:45,716 Well, well, well. Well, well, well.
1395 01:14:45,799 01:14:49,052 My old friend racism. My old friend racism.
1396 01:14:49,136 01:14:51,388 I've been expecting you. I've been expecting you.
1397 01:14:52,723 01:14:54,725 The ACLU filed a lawsuit The ACLU filed a lawsuit
1398 01:14:54,808 01:14:58,270 because absentee ballots were being rejected because absentee ballots were being rejected
1399 01:14:58,353 01:15:00,397 because the signature on the absentee ballot because the signature on the absentee ballot
1400 01:15:00,481 01:15:04,026 purportedly did not match the signature that was on file. purportedly did not match the signature that was on file.
1401 01:15:04,109 01:15:06,195 The problem is signatures change. The problem is signatures change.
1402 01:15:06,278 01:15:08,697 It's one of the worst metrics to use. It's one of the worst metrics to use.
1403 01:15:08,780 01:15:10,574 A lot of people for whom English A lot of people for whom English
1404 01:15:10,657 01:15:12,576 was not their first language was not their first language
1405 01:15:12,659 01:15:14,828 will have an inconsistent signature will have an inconsistent signature
1406 01:15:14,912 01:15:18,832 because they have to write and sign their American name. because they have to write and sign their American name.
1407 01:15:18,916 01:15:22,252 Asian voters, when they immigrated here, Asian voters, when they immigrated here,
1408 01:15:22,336 01:15:24,713 they adopted an American name. they adopted an American name.
1409 01:15:24,796 01:15:28,967 My grandmother had an American signature, My grandmother had an American signature,
1410 01:15:29,051 01:15:34,139 and she has not been able to sign that name consistently. and she has not been able to sign that name consistently.
1411 01:15:34,223 01:15:37,351 The argument for many of these voter suppression laws The argument for many of these voter suppression laws
1412 01:15:37,434 01:15:39,311 is this very fallacious argument is this very fallacious argument
1413 01:15:39,394 01:15:41,605 that it's necessary to stop voter fraud. that it's necessary to stop voter fraud.
1414 01:15:41,688 01:15:44,107 The voter fraud is real. It must be stopped. The voter fraud is real. It must be stopped.
1415 01:15:44,191 01:15:46,193 We need every tool to go after it. We need every tool to go after it.
1416 01:15:46,276 01:15:48,946 Voter I.D. laws stop voter fraud. Voter I.D. laws stop voter fraud.
1417 01:15:49,029 01:15:51,365 I've dedicated my career to fighting voter fraud I've dedicated my career to fighting voter fraud
1418 01:15:51,448 01:15:53,742 by doing things like having photo I.D. by doing things like having photo I.D.
1419 01:15:53,825 01:15:56,828 Every time voter fraud occurs, it cancels out the vote Every time voter fraud occurs, it cancels out the vote
1420 01:15:56,912 01:16:00,874 of a lawful citizen and undermines democracy. of a lawful citizen and undermines democracy.
1421 01:16:00,958 01:16:02,793 We can't let that happen. We can't let that happen.
1422 01:16:02,876 01:16:04,920 When Donald Trump lost the popular vote, When Donald Trump lost the popular vote,
1423 01:16:05,003 01:16:06,964 he lost it by 2.9 million votes, he lost it by 2.9 million votes,
1424 01:16:07,047 01:16:09,883 and he said three million people voted illegally. and he said three million people voted illegally.
1425 01:16:09,967 01:16:12,803 And there was no evidence to back this up, And there was no evidence to back this up,
1426 01:16:12,886 01:16:15,514 but this was a dramatic assertion but this was a dramatic assertion
1427 01:16:15,597 01:16:19,226 of voter fraud on a really unprecedented scale. of voter fraud on a really unprecedented scale.
1428 01:16:25,065 01:16:28,151 Trump employed this rhetoric to create his own, Trump employed this rhetoric to create his own,
1429 01:16:28,235 01:16:31,029 quote, unquote, "Commission on Election Integrity." quote, unquote, "Commission on Election Integrity."
1430 01:16:33,991 01:16:37,661 There was really an all-star cast of some of the biggest There was really an all-star cast of some of the biggest
1431 01:16:37,744 01:16:40,706 vote suppressors in the Republican Party today. vote suppressors in the Republican Party today.
1432 01:16:40,789 01:16:44,042 People like Hans von Spakovsky of the Heritage Foundation People like Hans von Spakovsky of the Heritage Foundation
1433 01:16:44,126 01:16:47,170 that had built the case for voter I.D. laws that had built the case for voter I.D. laws
1434 01:16:47,254 01:16:49,548 and similar restrictions on voting. and similar restrictions on voting.
1435 01:16:50,882 01:16:53,218 The president's Advisory Commission The president's Advisory Commission
1436 01:16:53,302 01:16:57,264 wanted to get the voter registration list wanted to get the voter registration list
1437 01:16:57,347 01:17:00,100 from all the states so they could start doing comparisons from all the states so they could start doing comparisons
1438 01:17:00,183 01:17:02,436 and find people who were still on the list and find people who were still on the list
1439 01:17:02,519 01:17:04,730 who were deceased, to find individuals who were deceased, to find individuals
1440 01:17:04,813 01:17:07,232 who were, uh, voting in more than one state. who were, uh, voting in more than one state.
1441 01:17:07,316 01:17:09,651 Yesterday, the vice chair of that commission Yesterday, the vice chair of that commission
1442 01:17:09,735 01:17:13,530 sent a letter to all 50 states, asking for voter data sent a letter to all 50 states, asking for voter data
1443 01:17:13,614 01:17:16,867 that includes addresses, party I.D., that includes addresses, party I.D.,
1444 01:17:16,950 01:17:20,370 voter history and Social Security information. voter history and Social Security information.
1445 01:17:20,454 01:17:23,874 This was like a Big Brother data request. This was like a Big Brother data request.
1446 01:17:23,957 01:17:28,045 There was no evidence that the administration would insure There was no evidence that the administration would insure
1447 01:17:28,128 01:17:31,465 the privacy and security of this data. the privacy and security of this data.
1448 01:17:31,548 01:17:35,260 And moreover, why did they need to know party affiliation? And moreover, why did they need to know party affiliation?
1449 01:17:35,344 01:17:36,970 Many states resisted that. Many states resisted that.
1450 01:17:37,054 01:17:39,222 They refused to provide that data. They refused to provide that data.
1451 01:17:39,306 01:17:41,475 Opposition to this is bipartisan, Opposition to this is bipartisan,
1452 01:17:41,558 01:17:42,643 to some degree. to some degree.
1453 01:17:42,726 01:17:44,353 Mississippi's Secretary of State, Mississippi's Secretary of State,
1454 01:17:44,436 01:17:48,273 a Republican, has called it a violation of voters' privacy a Republican, has called it a violation of voters' privacy
1455 01:17:48,357 01:17:50,484 and said that the commission can, quote, and said that the commission can, quote,
1456 01:17:50,567 01:17:53,487 "go jump in the Gulf of Mexico." "go jump in the Gulf of Mexico."
1457 01:17:53,570 01:17:55,656 The Commission on Election Integrity The Commission on Election Integrity
1458 01:17:55,739 01:17:57,115 that Donald Trump formed that Donald Trump formed
1459 01:17:57,199 01:17:59,242 was a complete and utter disaster. was a complete and utter disaster.
1460 01:17:59,326 01:18:02,329 It disbanded without issuing any findings, It disbanded without issuing any findings,
1461 01:18:02,412 01:18:05,374 and it found no evidence of voter fraud and it found no evidence of voter fraud
1462 01:18:05,457 01:18:08,126 during its entire investigative process. during its entire investigative process.
1463 01:18:14,841 01:18:17,552 We have a database at the Heritage Foundation We have a database at the Heritage Foundation
1464 01:18:17,636 01:18:19,054 that we're constantly adding to. that we're constantly adding to.
1465 01:18:19,137 01:18:22,182 It has a sampling of proven voter fraud cases, It has a sampling of proven voter fraud cases,
1466 01:18:22,265 01:18:24,059 uh, from across the country. uh, from across the country.
1467 01:18:24,142 01:18:27,979 Um, it's got almost 1,300 cases in it. Um, it's got almost 1,300 cases in it.
1468 01:18:28,063 01:18:29,356 Here's what they truly found, Here's what they truly found,
1469 01:18:29,439 01:18:31,108 and let's put it up again for people. and let's put it up again for people.
1470 01:18:31,191 01:18:34,695 146 million total registered voters. 146 million total registered voters.
1471 01:18:34,778 01:18:40,242 Out of those, there were 2,068 alleged voter fraud cases. Out of those, there were 2,068 alleged voter fraud cases.
1472 01:18:40,325 01:18:42,202 Okay? So it does happen, Okay? So it does happen,
1473 01:18:42,285 01:18:44,830 but it doesn't happen on a national scale... but it doesn't happen on a national scale...
1474 01:18:44,913 01:18:45,997 Doesn't affect the outcome. Doesn't affect the outcome.
1475 01:18:46,081 01:18:47,374 ...that would affect the outcome. ...that would affect the outcome.
1476 01:18:47,457 01:18:48,959 So, then you ask yourself, So, then you ask yourself,
1477 01:18:49,042 01:18:50,961 why do we have this architecture why do we have this architecture
1478 01:18:51,044 01:18:53,004 of all of these obstacles? of all of these obstacles?
1479 01:18:53,088 01:18:56,007 Voter I.D., gerrymandering, Voter I.D., gerrymandering,
1480 01:18:56,091 01:18:59,219 purging, poll closures. purging, poll closures.
1481 01:18:59,302 01:19:01,513 Why do we have all of this Why do we have all of this
1482 01:19:01,596 01:19:05,726 if voter fraud is virtually nonexistent? if voter fraud is virtually nonexistent?
1483 01:19:05,809 01:19:10,188 When you ask that question that way, When you ask that question that way,
1484 01:19:10,272 01:19:13,442 then it leads you down a path then it leads you down a path
1485 01:19:13,525 01:19:15,944 where America must look at itself again where America must look at itself again
1486 01:19:16,027 01:19:17,779 the way that it looked at itself the way that it looked at itself
1487 01:19:17,863 01:19:21,616 when it saw the cataclysm on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. when it saw the cataclysm on the Edmund Pettus Bridge.
1488 01:19:39,801 01:19:41,678 Running for governor Running for governor
1489 01:19:41,762 01:19:44,931 was about changing what it meant was about changing what it meant
1490 01:19:45,015 01:19:47,267 to be a leader in Georgia. to be a leader in Georgia.
1491 01:19:49,102 01:19:50,729 And there's nothing more transformative And there's nothing more transformative
1492 01:19:50,812 01:19:53,857 in the Deep South than a Black woman from poverty in the Deep South than a Black woman from poverty
1493 01:19:53,940 01:19:56,109 having opportunity. having opportunity.
1494 01:20:00,405 01:20:02,574 It hadn't been done before, so I thought It hadn't been done before, so I thought
1495 01:20:02,657 01:20:04,534 I would take advantage of the freedom I would take advantage of the freedom
1496 01:20:04,618 01:20:07,078 to try the things no one else tried. to try the things no one else tried.
1497 01:20:08,580 01:20:10,624 We know that voter turnout We know that voter turnout
1498 01:20:10,707 01:20:14,127 is the best remedy to voter suppression. is the best remedy to voter suppression.
1499 01:20:14,211 01:20:16,963 We decided to go after everyone who could vote. We decided to go after everyone who could vote.
1500 01:20:17,047 01:20:18,548 Y'all already been out to vote? Y'all already been out to vote?
1501 01:20:18,632 01:20:20,801 We need everybody out there in droves. We need everybody out there in droves.
1502 01:20:20,884 01:20:21,927 I'll make sure they vote. I'll make sure they vote.
1503 01:20:22,010 01:20:23,094 Matter of fact, they ain't gonna Matter of fact, they ain't gonna
1504 01:20:23,178 01:20:24,262 work tomorrow if they don't vote. work tomorrow if they don't vote.
1505 01:20:24,346 01:20:25,514 - Ooh, give me some! - There you go. - Ooh, give me some! - There you go.
1506 01:20:25,597 01:20:26,932 That's what you got to do. That's what you got to do.
1507 01:20:27,015 01:20:28,391 - You got to put it out there like that. - That's right. - You got to put it out there like that. - That's right.
1508 01:20:28,475 01:20:31,853 I've been out here talking to people who are... I've been out here talking to people who are...
1509 01:20:31,937 01:20:33,146 "Yeah, I've never voted before." "Yeah, I've never voted before."
1510 01:20:33,230 01:20:35,065 "Oh, I've never had someone come to my door before." "Oh, I've never had someone come to my door before."
1511 01:20:35,148 01:20:38,985 Too often, politicians only go to the people they know, Too often, politicians only go to the people they know,
1512 01:20:39,069 01:20:43,031 and they only engage the people they can rely on. and they only engage the people they can rely on.
1513 01:20:43,114 01:20:44,783 But go out there, man. We're trying to make history. But go out there, man. We're trying to make history.
1514 01:20:44,866 01:20:46,618 - You know what I'm saying? - Yeah, I'm gonna vote. - You know what I'm saying? - Yeah, I'm gonna vote.
1515 01:20:46,701 01:20:48,203 All right, that's what I want to hear. All right, that's what I want to hear.
1516 01:20:48,286 01:20:49,538 Which means you don't adapt Which means you don't adapt
1517 01:20:49,621 01:20:50,914 to the changing needs of community. to the changing needs of community.
1518 01:20:50,997 01:20:52,707 Thank you so much for your time. Thank you so much for your time.
1519 01:20:53,792 01:20:56,169 Among democratic countries, Among democratic countries,
1520 01:20:56,253 01:20:58,964 the United States stands out the United States stands out
1521 01:20:59,047 01:21:03,009 for having very low voter turnout. for having very low voter turnout.
1522 01:21:03,093 01:21:06,972 Politicians produced the system Politicians produced the system
1523 01:21:07,055 01:21:11,059 because elections are easier to manage because elections are easier to manage
1524 01:21:11,142 01:21:13,687 if the electorate is smaller. if the electorate is smaller.
1525 01:21:15,313 01:21:17,732 Hello, Georgia! Hello, Georgia!
1526 01:21:19,901 01:21:21,987 I was asking everybody, "You know Stacey Abrams? I was asking everybody, "You know Stacey Abrams?
1527 01:21:22,070 01:21:23,655 "You know Stacey Abrams? "You know Stacey Abrams?
1528 01:21:23,738 01:21:24,990 You know Stacey Abrams?" You know Stacey Abrams?"
1529 01:21:25,073 01:21:26,825 Finally, somebody said, "I know Stacey Abrams." Finally, somebody said, "I know Stacey Abrams."
1530 01:21:26,908 01:21:28,827 And they said, "I have her cell number." And they said, "I have her cell number."
1531 01:21:28,910 01:21:30,453 I go, "Give it to me." I go, "Give it to me."
1532 01:21:31,872 01:21:33,498 "I will call her up right now." "I will call her up right now."
1533 01:21:33,582 01:21:37,085 So I called Stacey Abrams, and I said, So I called Stacey Abrams, and I said,
1534 01:21:37,168 01:21:39,671 "Stacey, this is Oprah." "Stacey, this is Oprah."
1535 01:21:42,340 01:21:43,925 You know what she said? You know what she said?
1536 01:21:44,009 01:21:46,761 She said, "Girl, let me pull over to the side of the road." She said, "Girl, let me pull over to the side of the road."
1537 01:21:48,388 01:21:50,765 Ladies and gentlemen, Stacey Abrams! Ladies and gentlemen, Stacey Abrams!
1538 01:21:54,019 01:21:56,563 Stacey! Stacey! Stacey! Stacey! Stacey! Stacey!
1539 01:21:56,646 01:21:58,857 My name is Stacey Abrams, and I am running to be My name is Stacey Abrams, and I am running to be
1540 01:21:58,940 01:22:00,901 the next governor of the great state of Georgia. the next governor of the great state of Georgia.
1541 01:22:02,360 01:22:04,112 We talked to people. We talked to people.
1542 01:22:04,195 01:22:05,655 We met them at their doors. We met them at their doors.
1543 01:22:05,739 01:22:07,741 We met them at their churches, their mosques, We met them at their churches, their mosques,
1544 01:22:07,824 01:22:10,035 their temples, their shrines, their synagogues. their temples, their shrines, their synagogues.
1545 01:22:10,118 01:22:13,830 I went to Dragon Con and ONE Musicfest. I went to Dragon Con and ONE Musicfest.
1546 01:22:13,914 01:22:16,124 I also talked about real issues. I also talked about real issues.
1547 01:22:16,207 01:22:18,126 I talked about my brother and his fight I talked about my brother and his fight
1548 01:22:18,209 01:22:20,170 with drug addiction and incarceration. with drug addiction and incarceration.
1549 01:22:20,253 01:22:21,546 There are thousands of Walters There are thousands of Walters
1550 01:22:21,630 01:22:23,006 throughout the state of Georgia... throughout the state of Georgia...
1551 01:22:23,089 01:22:24,341 - Yeah! - ...who only get - Yeah! - ...who only get
1552 01:22:24,424 01:22:26,217 the help they need when they go to prison. the help they need when they go to prison.
1553 01:22:26,301 01:22:27,802 - Yeah! - I'm running for governor - Yeah! - I'm running for governor
1554 01:22:27,886 01:22:29,054 because I don't believe Georgia's because I don't believe Georgia's
1555 01:22:29,137 01:22:30,388 just a state of retribution. just a state of retribution.
1556 01:22:30,472 01:22:32,349 I want to see a state of redemption! I want to see a state of redemption!
1557 01:22:32,432 01:22:33,850 Yeah! Yeah!
1558 01:22:33,934 01:22:36,102 Let's get it done! Let's get it done!
1559 01:22:36,186 01:22:38,980 Let's get it done! Let's get it done! Let's get it done! Let's get it done!
1560 01:22:39,064 01:22:42,275 But I also had solutions, and I talked about the things But I also had solutions, and I talked about the things
1561 01:22:42,359 01:22:44,361 that people care about every single day. that people care about every single day.
1562 01:22:44,444 01:22:46,696 Georgia, we need you to show up and show out. Georgia, we need you to show up and show out.
1563 01:22:47,989 01:22:51,368 - ...Stacey Abrams... - ...Stacey Abrams... - ...Stacey Abrams... - ...Stacey Abrams...
1564 01:22:51,451 01:22:53,995 We wanted everybody who could vote to vote We wanted everybody who could vote to vote
1565 01:22:54,079 01:22:55,163 and to vote for me. and to vote for me.
1566 01:22:56,331 01:22:59,709 It is in our hands It is in our hands
1567 01:22:59,793 01:23:02,545 to make Stacey Abrams the next governor to make Stacey Abrams the next governor
1568 01:23:02,629 01:23:04,881 of the state of Georgia! of the state of Georgia!
1569 01:23:04,965 01:23:08,259 And give it up for your next governor, And give it up for your next governor,
1570 01:23:08,343 01:23:10,011 Stacey Abrams. Stacey Abrams.
1571 01:23:10,095 01:23:12,305 Stacey! Stacey! Stacey! Stacey!
1572 01:23:12,389 01:23:16,184 Stacey! Stacey! Stacey! Stacey! Stacey! Stacey! Stacey! Stacey!
1573 01:23:16,267 01:23:18,687 Thank you, Georgia. Thank you, Georgia.
1574 01:23:21,856 01:23:24,359 One of our missions in our campaign One of our missions in our campaign
1575 01:23:24,442 01:23:27,737 was to focus attention on early voting. was to focus attention on early voting.
1576 01:23:27,821 01:23:30,782 And so, by way of example, I went to vote early. And so, by way of example, I went to vote early.
1577 01:23:30,865 01:23:35,245 I came to my precinct armed with my I.D., I came to my precinct armed with my I.D.,
1578 01:23:35,328 01:23:37,205 ready to cast my ballot. ready to cast my ballot.
1579 01:23:37,288 01:23:39,541 I also had a bunch of television cameras with me I also had a bunch of television cameras with me
1580 01:23:39,624 01:23:41,960 because we wanted to publicize how important this was. because we wanted to publicize how important this was.
1581 01:23:43,461 01:23:46,047 I hand my information over, and the young woman, I hand my information over, and the young woman,
1582 01:23:46,131 01:23:49,175 with great trepidation, tells me that I cannot vote with great trepidation, tells me that I cannot vote
1583 01:23:49,259 01:23:52,095 because I've applied for an absentee ballot. because I've applied for an absentee ballot.
1584 01:23:53,513 01:23:56,808 And I lean in quietly, and I say, "No, I didn't." And I lean in quietly, and I say, "No, I didn't."
1585 01:23:56,891 01:23:59,811 I've voted in the state of Georgia since 1992. I've voted in the state of Georgia since 1992.
1586 01:23:59,894 01:24:02,981 I've never applied for an absentee ballot. I've never applied for an absentee ballot.
1587 01:24:03,064 01:24:05,692 She desperately wants to be helpful, She desperately wants to be helpful,
1588 01:24:05,775 01:24:07,235 but something had happened, but something had happened,
1589 01:24:07,318 01:24:08,862 and she did not have good information. and she did not have good information.
1590 01:24:08,945 01:24:10,655 Her manager came over, we talked, Her manager came over, we talked,
1591 01:24:10,739 01:24:13,742 and we were able to figure out what needed to be done. and we were able to figure out what needed to be done.
1592 01:24:18,371 01:24:20,290 What worries me What worries me
1593 01:24:20,373 01:24:23,334 are the thousands of people in Georgia who tried to vote are the thousands of people in Georgia who tried to vote
1594 01:24:23,418 01:24:28,381 that didn't have CNN and MSNBC standing over their shoulders that didn't have CNN and MSNBC standing over their shoulders
1595 01:24:28,465 01:24:31,468 who were told no and who believed that no was the answer who were told no and who believed that no was the answer
1596 01:24:31,551 01:24:33,887 because they didn't have the authority because they didn't have the authority
1597 01:24:33,970 01:24:36,264 or the knowledge to demand better. or the knowledge to demand better.
1598 01:24:36,347 01:24:38,600 We really knew by the last week of early vote We really knew by the last week of early vote
1599 01:24:38,683 01:24:41,603 that we were seeing extraordinary turnout, that we were seeing extraordinary turnout,
1600 01:24:41,686 01:24:43,938 um, beyond our projections, um, beyond our projections,
1601 01:24:44,022 01:24:47,400 and we also knew that we were seeing an extraordinary and we also knew that we were seeing an extraordinary
1602 01:24:47,484 01:24:48,985 inability of the election system inability of the election system
1603 01:24:49,069 01:24:50,904 to process the folks. to process the folks.
1604 01:24:50,987 01:24:54,032 It was the very big warning bell that It was the very big warning bell that
1605 01:24:54,115 01:24:56,659 Election Day was gonna be a problem. Election Day was gonna be a problem.
1606 01:25:05,126 01:25:07,295 We were with Brian Kemp and his family We were with Brian Kemp and his family
1607 01:25:07,378 01:25:08,546 as they showed up to vote. as they showed up to vote.
1608 01:25:08,630 01:25:10,173 It said this was an invalid card. It said this was an invalid card.
1609 01:25:10,256 01:25:12,592 - Okay. You go back in there. I'll redo it for you. - Yeah. - Okay. You go back in there. I'll redo it for you. - Yeah.
1610 01:25:12,675 01:25:14,677 And Kemp had some voting issues. And Kemp had some voting issues.
1611 01:25:14,761 01:25:17,347 His voter card said "invalid." His voter card said "invalid."
1612 01:25:19,724 01:25:21,059 You just went and cast your ballot there. You just went and cast your ballot there.
1613 01:25:21,142 01:25:22,727 - Yeah. - During your tenure as Secretary of State here, - Yeah. - During your tenure as Secretary of State here,
1614 01:25:22,811 01:25:23,937 you've made it harder for you've made it harder for
1615 01:25:24,020 01:25:25,313 tens of thousands of people in Georgia... tens of thousands of people in Georgia...
1616 01:25:25,396 01:25:26,606 I would disagree with that question completely. I would disagree with that question completely.
1617 01:25:26,689 01:25:27,982 ...to cast their ballots across the state. ...to cast their ballots across the state.
1618 01:25:28,066 01:25:29,359 Because you have no factual basis Because you have no factual basis
1619 01:25:29,442 01:25:31,194 on making it harder for people to vote. on making it harder for people to vote.
1620 01:25:31,277 01:25:34,114 It has never been easier for people to vote in the... It has never been easier for people to vote in the...
1621 01:25:34,197 01:25:36,199 in the state of Georgia than it is right now. in the state of Georgia than it is right now.
1622 01:25:36,282 01:25:37,951 One of the races One of the races
1623 01:25:38,034 01:25:39,661 that we've been watching really closely that we've been watching really closely
1624 01:25:39,744 01:25:43,665 is the governor's race in the state of Georgia. is the governor's race in the state of Georgia.
1625 01:25:43,748 01:25:45,166 From Midtown to Marietta, From Midtown to Marietta,
1626 01:25:45,250 01:25:49,546 we're seeing long lines at polling places across the area. we're seeing long lines at polling places across the area.
1627 01:25:49,629 01:25:52,966 This morning, we got here at... when the polls opened at 7:00. This morning, we got here at... when the polls opened at 7:00.
1628 01:25:53,049 01:25:56,010 We were told that the machines weren't working. We were told that the machines weren't working.
1629 01:25:56,094 01:26:00,223 Finally, at 11:00, they got machines that were working, Finally, at 11:00, they got machines that were working,
1630 01:26:00,306 01:26:02,517 so we've been in line for five hours. so we've been in line for five hours.
1631 01:26:02,600 01:26:04,269 How long have you waited How long have you waited
1632 01:26:04,352 01:26:06,729 - in line here this morning? - About three and a half hours. - in line here this morning? - About three and a half hours.
1633 01:26:06,813 01:26:08,606 - You gonna go home? Come back? - I'm-I'm hurting. - You gonna go home? Come back? - I'm-I'm hurting.
1634 01:26:08,690 01:26:10,859 I-I'll be back. I got to go take some medicine. I-I'll be back. I got to go take some medicine.
1635 01:26:10,942 01:26:12,318 These lines are insane. These lines are insane.
1636 01:26:12,402 01:26:14,571 We had a big fucking problem. We had a big fucking problem.
1637 01:26:14,654 01:26:17,073 Um, people are leaving lines all over. Um, people are leaving lines all over.
1638 01:26:17,157 01:26:18,408 I'm getting the reports. I'm getting the reports.
1639 01:26:18,491 01:26:20,869 My parents are U.S. citizens. My parents are U.S. citizens.
1640 01:26:20,952 01:26:22,203 They've voted in the past, but today, They've voted in the past, but today,
1641 01:26:22,287 01:26:23,746 when they showed up to vote, they were told when they showed up to vote, they were told
1642 01:26:23,830 01:26:25,456 that they were purged from the voter rolls. that they were purged from the voter rolls.
1643 01:26:25,540 01:26:28,042 We'd received thousands of calls We'd received thousands of calls
1644 01:26:28,126 01:26:30,044 to our Voter Protection Hotline. to our Voter Protection Hotline.
1645 01:26:30,128 01:26:31,379 Conversations about people Conversations about people
1646 01:26:31,462 01:26:33,131 being turned away from the polls. being turned away from the polls.
1647 01:26:33,214 01:26:35,300 I can't find this one. I can't find this one.
1648 01:26:35,383 01:26:37,302 - This is where you would normally vote? - Yes. - This is where you would normally vote? - Yes.
1649 01:26:37,385 01:26:38,761 The name didn't come up, in your case. The name didn't come up, in your case.
1650 01:26:38,845 01:26:40,180 It didn't come up even when I search. It didn't come up even when I search.
1651 01:26:40,263 01:26:43,391 Those stories were coming to me at every moment. Those stories were coming to me at every moment.
1652 01:26:43,474 01:26:45,727 Some were here for three hours, Some were here for three hours,
1653 01:26:45,810 01:26:47,270 others here for much longer, others here for much longer,
1654 01:26:47,353 01:26:50,356 after the Express poll machines stopped working after the Express poll machines stopped working
1655 01:26:50,440 01:26:53,651 inside the Annistown Elementary polling place Tuesday morning. inside the Annistown Elementary polling place Tuesday morning.
1656 01:26:53,735 01:26:55,403 We knew who we were up against. We knew who we were up against.
1657 01:26:55,486 01:26:57,614 We had been fighting this guy for years. We had been fighting this guy for years.
1658 01:26:57,697 01:27:01,075 And then to see what the result was of And then to see what the result was of
1659 01:27:01,159 01:27:03,244 intentional underfunding of elections, intentional underfunding of elections,
1660 01:27:03,328 01:27:06,497 intentional non-training of local elections officials. intentional non-training of local elections officials.
1661 01:27:06,581 01:27:07,707 He says he went He says he went
1662 01:27:07,790 01:27:09,250 to cast his ballot Tuesday morning, to cast his ballot Tuesday morning,
1663 01:27:09,334 01:27:11,961 he handed the poll worker his I.D., and then she... he handed the poll worker his I.D., and then she...
1664 01:27:12,045 01:27:14,756 Says, "Mr. Whitten, wait. Stop. You've already voted." Says, "Mr. Whitten, wait. Stop. You've already voted."
1665 01:27:14,839 01:27:16,257 I said, "No, I-I think I would've remembered that." I said, "No, I-I think I would've remembered that."
1666 01:27:16,341 01:27:18,509 She says, "No, I see here that you voted, She says, "No, I see here that you voted,
1667 01:27:18,593 01:27:20,470 and, uh, it looks like several days ago." and, uh, it looks like several days ago."
1668 01:27:20,553 01:27:23,973 Intentional purges, intentional precinct consolidation. Intentional purges, intentional precinct consolidation.
1669 01:27:24,057 01:27:27,352 They combined two locations, gave us three machines. They combined two locations, gave us three machines.
1670 01:27:27,435 01:27:30,063 Last election, I had 12. I don't know why. Last election, I had 12. I don't know why.
1671 01:27:30,146 01:27:31,272 Intentional lack of training Intentional lack of training
1672 01:27:31,356 01:27:32,941 around absentee and provisional ballots. around absentee and provisional ballots.
1673 01:27:33,024 01:27:35,610 All the compendium coming together. All the compendium coming together.
1674 01:27:35,693 01:27:38,238 Students were showing up, and their names were not Students were showing up, and their names were not
1675 01:27:38,321 01:27:39,614 on the actual roll. on the actual roll.
1676 01:27:39,697 01:27:41,741 Um, and so they were casting provisional ballots, Um, and so they were casting provisional ballots,
1677 01:27:41,824 01:27:45,078 so much so that they actually ran out of provisional ballots. so much so that they actually ran out of provisional ballots.
1678 01:27:45,161 01:27:48,498 It was just out of control. It was just out of control.
1679 01:27:48,581 01:27:52,794 We knew people were trying to be heard, We knew people were trying to be heard,
1680 01:27:52,877 01:27:55,964 but I also knew they weren't being listened to. but I also knew they weren't being listened to.
1681 01:28:01,219 01:28:03,304 Election night... Election night...
1682 01:28:03,388 01:28:07,308 I knew something had gone horribly wrong. I knew something had gone horribly wrong.
1683 01:28:09,102 01:28:10,895 Take a look at where the numbers stand right now. Take a look at where the numbers stand right now.
1684 01:28:10,979 01:28:12,981 As you can see, the numbers are now tightening. As you can see, the numbers are now tightening.
1685 01:28:13,064 01:28:14,482 The spread is only some 60,000. The spread is only some 60,000.
1686 01:28:14,565 01:28:16,359 Several counties have yet to process Several counties have yet to process
1687 01:28:16,442 01:28:18,528 their provisional and emergency ballots, their provisional and emergency ballots,
1688 01:28:18,611 01:28:22,490 leaving an estimated 22,000 ballots outstanding. leaving an estimated 22,000 ballots outstanding.
1689 01:28:24,826 01:28:27,704 By 1:00 a.m., what we knew By 1:00 a.m., what we knew
1690 01:28:27,787 01:28:31,040 was that the race was too close to call. was that the race was too close to call.
1691 01:28:32,709 01:28:35,962 I'm here tonight to tell you votes remain to be counted. I'm here tonight to tell you votes remain to be counted.
1692 01:28:36,045 01:28:38,798 There are voices that were waiting to be heard. There are voices that were waiting to be heard.
1693 01:28:38,881 01:28:41,426 Across our state, folks are opening up Across our state, folks are opening up
1694 01:28:41,509 01:28:44,304 the dreams of voters in absentee ballots, the dreams of voters in absentee ballots,
1695 01:28:44,387 01:28:46,848 and we believe our chance for a stronger Georgia and we believe our chance for a stronger Georgia
1696 01:28:46,931 01:28:48,683 is just within reach. is just within reach.
1697 01:28:50,143 01:28:54,939 But we cannot seize it until all voices are heard. But we cannot seize it until all voices are heard.
1698 01:28:55,023 01:28:57,233 And I promise you tonight, we are gonna make sure And I promise you tonight, we are gonna make sure
1699 01:28:57,317 01:29:00,111 that every vote is counted. that every vote is counted.
1700 01:29:00,194 01:29:02,113 Every single vote. Every single vote.
1701 01:29:05,074 01:29:06,534 We've heard from We've heard from
1702 01:29:06,617 01:29:09,245 40,000 Georgians and counting 40,000 Georgians and counting
1703 01:29:09,329 01:29:11,664 who have told us story after story who have told us story after story
1704 01:29:11,748 01:29:14,208 about the concerns and problems they have, about the concerns and problems they have,
1705 01:29:14,292 01:29:16,544 uh, with our system across Georgia. uh, with our system across Georgia.
1706 01:29:16,627 01:29:18,379 Our staff was, Our staff was,
1707 01:29:18,463 01:29:20,006 you know, running around the state you know, running around the state
1708 01:29:20,089 01:29:22,091 and collecting all of these stories, and collecting all of these stories,
1709 01:29:22,175 01:29:24,135 and we're in the federal courts and we're in the federal courts
1710 01:29:24,218 01:29:26,054 fighting for each of these votes. fighting for each of these votes.
1711 01:29:26,137 01:29:28,389 Every day, there were votes that were found, Every day, there were votes that were found,
1712 01:29:28,473 01:29:30,433 and there were lawsuits that were settled and there were lawsuits that were settled
1713 01:29:30,516 01:29:32,352 that then added to the total. that then added to the total.
1714 01:29:32,435 01:29:36,439 And it was just a devastating, And it was just a devastating,
1715 01:29:36,522 01:29:39,859 obvious thing what happened. obvious thing what happened.
1716 01:29:39,942 01:29:42,028 You couldn't swing a bat You couldn't swing a bat
1717 01:29:42,111 01:29:45,365 and not hit 14 people who had problems voting. and not hit 14 people who had problems voting.
1718 01:29:45,448 01:29:46,699 Governor Nathan Deal rolled out Governor Nathan Deal rolled out
1719 01:29:46,783 01:29:49,118 the gubernatorial red carpet Thursday for Brian Kemp, the gubernatorial red carpet Thursday for Brian Kemp,
1720 01:29:49,202 01:29:51,204 declaring him governor-elect, though the state declaring him governor-elect, though the state
1721 01:29:51,287 01:29:52,872 has yet officially to certify the election. has yet officially to certify the election.
1722 01:29:52,955 01:29:56,376 Even if she got 100% of those votes, Even if she got 100% of those votes,
1723 01:29:56,459 01:30:01,631 we still win with, um, a 50%-plus-one-vote majority. we still win with, um, a 50%-plus-one-vote majority.
1724 01:30:01,714 01:30:03,591 Actually, it's much more than that. Actually, it's much more than that.
1725 01:30:03,674 01:30:06,010 Uh, so we're moving forward with the transition. Uh, so we're moving forward with the transition.
1726 01:30:06,094 01:30:09,138 Brian Kemp is Brian Kemp is
1727 01:30:09,222 01:30:15,436 25,622 votes 25,622 votes
1728 01:30:15,520 01:30:20,274 above the threshold for a runoff election. above the threshold for a runoff election.
1729 01:30:21,901 01:30:24,904 25,000 votes 25,000 votes
1730 01:30:24,987 01:30:28,282 of nearly four million cast of nearly four million cast
1731 01:30:28,366 01:30:31,869 are at issue in this race. are at issue in this race.
1732 01:30:31,953 01:30:34,288 By his own admission, By his own admission,
1733 01:30:34,372 01:30:37,625 there are at least 25,000 outstanding votes there are at least 25,000 outstanding votes
1734 01:30:37,708 01:30:40,753 and hundreds, if not thousands, of more and hundreds, if not thousands, of more
1735 01:30:40,837 01:30:45,091 that we are learning about and discovering every day. that we are learning about and discovering every day.
1736 01:30:45,174 01:30:48,052 Georgians deserve to have their votes counted. Georgians deserve to have their votes counted.
1737 01:30:48,136 01:30:50,805 And some Abrams supporters protested peacefully And some Abrams supporters protested peacefully
1738 01:30:50,888 01:30:52,890 outside the governor's office during Kemp's news conference, outside the governor's office during Kemp's news conference,
1739 01:30:52,974 01:30:54,267 believing there are enough believing there are enough
1740 01:30:54,350 01:30:56,978 uncounted votes to force a runoff. uncounted votes to force a runoff.
1741 01:30:57,061 01:30:58,688 They're arresting me because I refused They're arresting me because I refused
1742 01:30:58,771 01:31:00,690 to leave the rotunda of the capitol... to leave the rotunda of the capitol...
1743 01:31:00,773 01:31:02,400 Well, I was taken out Well, I was taken out
1744 01:31:02,483 01:31:04,152 in handcuffs and jailed in handcuffs and jailed
1745 01:31:04,235 01:31:06,237 because I stood with my constituents because I stood with my constituents
1746 01:31:06,320 01:31:08,197 to voice their concerns to voice their concerns
1747 01:31:08,281 01:31:10,533 and make sure that every vote is counted. and make sure that every vote is counted.
1748 01:31:14,370 01:31:19,083 By the end, we were still 17,000 votes shy of the runoff. By the end, we were still 17,000 votes shy of the runoff.
1749 01:31:19,167 01:31:20,626 The ballot battle The ballot battle
1750 01:31:20,710 01:31:23,254 in Georgia's governor's race is over. in Georgia's governor's race is over.
1751 01:31:23,337 01:31:26,424 Brian Kemp will be certified the winner. Brian Kemp will be certified the winner.
1752 01:31:30,261 01:31:31,762 I was very angry. I was very angry.
1753 01:31:31,846 01:31:33,931 I'm still very angry. I'm still very angry.
1754 01:31:34,015 01:31:35,516 Um... Um...
1755 01:31:37,518 01:31:39,770 ...very angry. ...very angry.
1756 01:31:39,854 01:31:41,647 Make no mistake. Make no mistake.
1757 01:31:41,731 01:31:43,649 The former Secretary of State The former Secretary of State
1758 01:31:43,733 01:31:46,861 was deliberate and intentional in his actions. was deliberate and intentional in his actions.
1759 01:31:46,944 01:31:50,031 Pundits and hyper-partisans will hear my words Pundits and hyper-partisans will hear my words
1760 01:31:50,114 01:31:52,158 as a rejection of the normal order. as a rejection of the normal order.
1761 01:31:52,241 01:31:55,703 You see, I'm supposed to say nice things and accept my fate. You see, I'm supposed to say nice things and accept my fate.
1762 01:31:55,786 01:31:58,414 They will complain that I should not use this moment They will complain that I should not use this moment
1763 01:31:58,498 01:32:02,210 to recap what was done wrong or to demand a remedy. to recap what was done wrong or to demand a remedy.
1764 01:32:02,293 01:32:05,713 You see, as a leader, I should be stoic in my outrage You see, as a leader, I should be stoic in my outrage
1765 01:32:05,796 01:32:08,216 and silent in my rebuke. and silent in my rebuke.
1766 01:32:08,299 01:32:10,426 But stoicism is a luxury, But stoicism is a luxury,
1767 01:32:10,510 01:32:12,261 and silence is a weapon and silence is a weapon
1768 01:32:12,345 01:32:14,847 for those who would quiet the voices of the people. for those who would quiet the voices of the people.
1769 01:32:14,931 01:32:16,349 And I will not concede, And I will not concede,
1770 01:32:16,432 01:32:19,560 because the erosion of our democracy is not right. because the erosion of our democracy is not right.
1771 01:32:21,229 01:32:23,064 Last night, as you all know, Last night, as you all know,
1772 01:32:23,147 01:32:25,358 my opponent ended her campaign. my opponent ended her campaign.
1773 01:32:25,441 01:32:26,859 The election is over, The election is over,
1774 01:32:26,943 01:32:30,238 and I'm honored to be Georgia's governor-elect. and I'm honored to be Georgia's governor-elect.
1775 01:32:43,543 01:32:45,628 My responsibility as the daughter My responsibility as the daughter
1776 01:32:45,711 01:32:48,214 of Robert and Carolyn Abrams, of Robert and Carolyn Abrams,
1777 01:32:48,297 01:32:50,841 as the granddaughter of people as the granddaughter of people
1778 01:32:50,925 01:32:52,843 who had been denied the right to vote, who had been denied the right to vote,
1779 01:32:52,927 01:32:55,721 as the great-great- granddaughter of slaves, as the great-great- granddaughter of slaves,
1780 01:32:55,805 01:32:58,474 my job was to use this election my job was to use this election
1781 01:32:58,558 01:33:01,310 to talk about the system that let this be. to talk about the system that let this be.
1782 01:33:02,311 01:33:04,689 And so, we decided on that night And so, we decided on that night
1783 01:33:04,772 01:33:07,108 that we were going to demand that we were going to demand
1784 01:33:07,191 01:33:09,527 that the system itself be fixed. that the system itself be fixed.
1785 01:33:09,610 01:33:11,904 Because, when you concede, what you're saying Because, when you concede, what you're saying
1786 01:33:11,988 01:33:14,782 is that the system worked the way it was supposed to. is that the system worked the way it was supposed to.
1787 01:33:14,865 01:33:17,243 And I refuse to believe that a system And I refuse to believe that a system
1788 01:33:17,326 01:33:19,745 that is supposed to protect our democracy that is supposed to protect our democracy
1789 01:33:19,829 01:33:22,582 worked the way it was supposed to. worked the way it was supposed to.
1790 01:33:28,462 01:33:30,172 In 2020 and beyond, In 2020 and beyond,
1791 01:33:30,256 01:33:31,632 the way we fight voter suppression the way we fight voter suppression
1792 01:33:31,716 01:33:33,301 is by meeting it where it is. is by meeting it where it is.
1793 01:33:33,384 01:33:34,844 That means, first and foremost, That means, first and foremost,
1794 01:33:34,927 01:33:37,179 volunteer to help people get registered to vote. volunteer to help people get registered to vote.
1795 01:33:37,263 01:33:39,473 Hi, Nina, darling. My name is Stacey Abrams. Hi, Nina, darling. My name is Stacey Abrams.
1796 01:33:39,557 01:33:42,268 I wanted to thank you for all the work you're doing I wanted to thank you for all the work you're doing
1797 01:33:42,351 01:33:43,394 to reach out to voters to reach out to voters
1798 01:33:43,477 01:33:45,187 and making sure they stay on the rolls. and making sure they stay on the rolls.
1799 01:33:45,271 01:33:47,898 If you believe in "one person, one vote," If you believe in "one person, one vote,"
1800 01:33:47,982 01:33:50,192 if you believe in representative government, if you believe in representative government,
1801 01:33:50,276 01:33:52,612 then you will fight for this democracy. then you will fight for this democracy.
1802 01:33:52,695 01:33:54,322 So, if you, um, fill it out right now, So, if you, um, fill it out right now,
1803 01:33:54,405 01:33:56,490 we can mail it out for you. we can mail it out for you.
1804 01:33:56,574 01:33:58,659 Our power is in our vote. Our power is in our vote.
1805 01:33:58,743 01:34:01,495 Our power is in our voice. Our power is in our voice.
1806 01:34:01,579 01:34:04,206 And if we willingly choose to remain silent, And if we willingly choose to remain silent,
1807 01:34:04,290 01:34:06,125 we give up that power. we give up that power.
1808 01:34:06,208 01:34:07,460 The day that we celebrate The day that we celebrate
1809 01:34:07,543 01:34:09,253 what it means to be an American. what it means to be an American.
1810 01:34:09,337 01:34:10,504 Today, our returning citizens Today, our returning citizens
1811 01:34:10,588 01:34:13,215 have their right to vote restored. have their right to vote restored.
1812 01:34:14,717 01:34:17,386 Plan out what you're going to do Plan out what you're going to do
1813 01:34:17,470 01:34:19,305 to make sure your ballot is cast and counted, to make sure your ballot is cast and counted,
1814 01:34:19,388 01:34:21,349 and then ask your friends and family and then ask your friends and family
1815 01:34:21,432 01:34:22,892 whether they have a plan. whether they have a plan.
1816 01:34:22,975 01:34:24,518 Even if you've done everything right, Even if you've done everything right,
1817 01:34:24,602 01:34:26,062 do not assume you're registered. do not assume you're registered.
1818 01:34:26,145 01:34:28,898 Check to make sure that you haven't been purged Check to make sure that you haven't been purged
1819 01:34:28,981 01:34:30,941 or that your polling place has moved. or that your polling place has moved.
1820 01:34:31,025 01:34:32,443 Vote as early as possible. Vote as early as possible.
1821 01:34:32,526 01:34:34,445 Take your friends with you to the polls. Take your friends with you to the polls.
1822 01:34:34,528 01:34:36,322 Talk to your neighbors about voting. Talk to your neighbors about voting.
1823 01:34:36,405 01:34:37,865 Call your parents and ask them if they've voted. Call your parents and ask them if they've voted.
1824 01:34:37,948 01:34:39,325 Call your grandparents. Call your grandparents.
1825 01:34:39,408 01:34:42,203 And make sure that people know what precinct they're in, And make sure that people know what precinct they're in,
1826 01:34:42,286 01:34:43,829 where their polling location is. where their polling location is.
1827 01:34:43,913 01:34:46,082 And then you turn up at the polls, And then you turn up at the polls,
1828 01:34:46,165 01:34:48,751 and you don't leave until you cast your ballot. and you don't leave until you cast your ballot.
1829 01:34:48,834 01:34:50,920 They told voters to anticipate long lines. They told voters to anticipate long lines.
1830 01:34:51,003 01:34:53,381 Is two and a half hours, three hours, four hours... Is two and a half hours, three hours, four hours...
1831 01:34:53,464 01:34:55,466 is that reasonable, though, in your mind, David? is that reasonable, though, in your mind, David?
1832 01:34:55,549 01:34:57,301 It's worth the wait. It's worth the wait. It's worth the wait. It's worth the wait.
1833 01:34:57,385 01:34:59,553 Folks died for this right that... I mean, you know, Folks died for this right that... I mean, you know,
1834 01:34:59,637 01:35:01,639 so I would never take advantage of it, you know, so... so I would never take advantage of it, you know, so...
1835 01:35:01,722 01:35:02,723 I'm here for the long haul. I'm here for the long haul.
1836 01:35:02,807 01:35:04,642 It's a life-and-death matter. It's a life-and-death matter.
1837 01:35:04,725 01:35:06,394 It really is. It really is.
1838 01:35:06,477 01:35:08,020 It's not gonna be the courts that save us. It's not gonna be the courts that save us.
1839 01:35:08,104 01:35:09,897 It's not gonna be the justices in their robes. It's not gonna be the justices in their robes.
1840 01:35:09,980 01:35:11,023 It's got to be the people. It's got to be the people.
1841 01:35:11,107 01:35:12,900 If you were to come out to vote, If you were to come out to vote,
1842 01:35:12,983 01:35:14,735 we could elect who we wanted to, we could elect who we wanted to,
1843 01:35:14,819 01:35:16,737 we could get done what we wanted to, we could get done what we wanted to,
1844 01:35:16,821 01:35:19,031 and we could make sure that our voice was heard. and we could make sure that our voice was heard.
1845 01:35:19,115 01:35:20,616 The fight for voting rights The fight for voting rights
1846 01:35:20,700 01:35:23,744 needs to be a defining civil rights issue today. needs to be a defining civil rights issue today.
1847 01:35:23,828 01:35:26,038 The desire to keep certain people The desire to keep certain people
1848 01:35:26,122 01:35:27,373 away from the polls, away from the polls,
1849 01:35:27,456 01:35:30,334 it's a reality that we have to be prepared to confront. it's a reality that we have to be prepared to confront.
1850 01:35:30,418 01:35:32,503 But unless we confront that reality But unless we confront that reality
1851 01:35:32,586 01:35:34,714 and base actions on that reality, and base actions on that reality,
1852 01:35:34,797 01:35:35,965 we won't make the progress we won't make the progress
1853 01:35:36,048 01:35:38,884 that we all want to make in this country. that we all want to make in this country.
1854 01:35:40,845 01:35:42,221 I believe in our democracy. I believe in our democracy.
1855 01:35:42,304 01:35:43,764 I believe in our nation. I believe in our nation.
1856 01:35:43,848 01:35:45,349 And I think our strongest patriotism And I think our strongest patriotism
1857 01:35:45,433 01:35:48,269 is a patriotism that says that every voice matters is a patriotism that says that every voice matters
1858 01:35:48,352 01:35:49,895 and that every vote counts and that every vote counts
1859 01:35:49,979 01:35:52,773 and that we will do everything in our power to make it so. and that we will do everything in our power to make it so.
1860 01:35:56,444 01:35:58,654 Let's stop thinking that our voice don't matter... Let's stop thinking that our voice don't matter...
1861 01:35:58,738 01:36:00,281 - That's right. - ...and vote! - That's right. - ...and vote!
1862 01:36:00,364 01:36:04,160 Educate yourself and know who you're voting for. Educate yourself and know who you're voting for.
1863 01:36:05,745 01:36:08,539 Because it's a lot of us. Because it's a lot of us.
1864 01:36:08,622 01:36:11,417 - It's a lot of us. - That's right. - It's a lot of us. - That's right.
1865 01:36:11,500 01:36:12,918 It's a lot of us! It's a lot of us!
1866 01:36:13,002 01:36:14,670 It's a lot of us! It's a lot of us!
1867 01:37:32,081 01:37:33,582 ♪ The table 'bout to turn ♪ ♪ The table 'bout to turn ♪
1868 01:37:38,254 01:37:40,089 ♪ The table 'bout to turn ♪ ♪ The table 'bout to turn ♪
1869 01:37:44,927 01:37:46,345 Register to vote. Register to vote.
1870 01:37:46,428 01:37:48,264 Even if you think you're already registered, Even if you think you're already registered,
1871 01:37:48,347 01:37:49,974 check your registration status. check your registration status.
1872 01:37:50,057 01:37:53,185 Seriously, check to see if you're registered to vote Seriously, check to see if you're registered to vote
1873 01:37:53,269 01:37:55,729 at AllInTheFilm.com. at AllInTheFilm.com.
1874 01:37:55,813 01:37:57,940 Don't be a victim of voter purge. Don't be a victim of voter purge.
1875 01:37:58,023 01:38:01,861 If you're registered, make sure the information is correct. If you're registered, make sure the information is correct.
1876 01:38:01,944 01:38:03,904 If not, update it. If not, update it.
1877 01:38:03,988 01:38:06,198 ♪ The table 'bout to turn ♪ ♪ The table 'bout to turn ♪
1878 01:38:08,576 01:38:11,412 Oh, and make sure to keep your receipts. Oh, and make sure to keep your receipts.
1879 01:38:11,495 01:38:12,746 Take a screenshot Take a screenshot
1880 01:38:12,830 01:38:15,749 so that no one can deny your registration. so that no one can deny your registration.
1881 01:38:15,833 01:38:17,459 Get informed. Get informed.
1882 01:38:17,543 01:38:20,254 Find out what documents or I.D. Find out what documents or I.D.
1883 01:38:20,337 01:38:22,756 are required for you to vote in your state are required for you to vote in your state
1884 01:38:22,840 01:38:25,634 so that you will have time to prepare to vote. so that you will have time to prepare to vote.
1885 01:38:25,718 01:38:26,969 Make a plan. Make a plan.
1886 01:38:27,052 01:38:30,264 Look up your polling place and the time it's open Look up your polling place and the time it's open
1887 01:38:30,347 01:38:31,932 and how you're getting there and how you're getting there
1888 01:38:32,016 01:38:35,686 and what you can do to stay safe if you're casting and what you can do to stay safe if you're casting
1889 01:38:35,769 01:38:39,481 your socially distanced vote in person. your socially distanced vote in person.
1890 01:38:39,565 01:38:42,234 Some states allow any voter to vote absentee. Some states allow any voter to vote absentee.
1891 01:38:42,318 01:38:44,653 Other states have stricter requirements. Other states have stricter requirements.
1892 01:38:44,737 01:38:47,323 Head to AllInTheFilm.com to find out Head to AllInTheFilm.com to find out
1893 01:38:47,406 01:38:50,367 details about your state and how to request a ballot. details about your state and how to request a ballot.
1894 01:38:50,451 01:38:54,371 Go to 2020Census. gov and complete your census form. Go to 2020Census. gov and complete your census form.
1895 01:38:54,455 01:38:56,749 Ensure that your community is counted Ensure that your community is counted
1896 01:38:56,832 01:38:58,667 and help combat gerrymandering. and help combat gerrymandering.
1897 01:38:58,751 01:39:02,796 And most importantly, know your rights. And most importantly, know your rights.
1898 01:39:02,880 01:39:05,299 If the polls close and you're in the line, man, If the polls close and you're in the line, man,
1899 01:39:05,382 01:39:08,594 stay in the line because you got the right to vote. stay in the line because you got the right to vote.
1900 01:39:08,677 01:39:11,055 If you make a mistake on your ballot, ask for a new one. If you make a mistake on your ballot, ask for a new one.
1901 01:39:11,138 01:39:13,307 If the machines are down at your polling place, If the machines are down at your polling place,
1902 01:39:13,390 01:39:14,808 ask for a paper ballot. ask for a paper ballot.
1903 01:39:14,892 01:39:16,936 If they can't find your name on the voter rolls, If they can't find your name on the voter rolls,
1904 01:39:17,019 01:39:18,646 then ask for a provisional ballot. then ask for a provisional ballot.
1905 01:39:18,729 01:39:20,439 And if you run into any problems And if you run into any problems
1906 01:39:20,522 01:39:22,942 or have any questions on Election Day, or have any questions on Election Day,
1907 01:39:23,025 01:39:25,611 call the Election Protection Hotline: call the Election Protection Hotline:
1908 01:39:25,694 01:39:27,988 866-OUR-VOTE. 866-OUR-VOTE.
1909 01:39:28,072 01:39:29,949 - Think you got all that? - Are you all in? - Think you got all that? - Are you all in?
1910 01:39:30,032 01:39:31,367 Perfect. Now... Perfect. Now...
1911 01:39:31,450 01:39:33,202 Go and tell literally everyone... Go and tell literally everyone...
1912 01:39:33,285 01:39:34,536 - Everyone. - Everyone. - Everyone. - Everyone.
1913 01:39:34,620 01:39:36,121 Everyone you know. Everyone you know.
1914 01:39:36,205 01:39:39,041 Literally everyone you know. Literally everyone you know.
1915 01:39:40,209 01:39:41,835 ♪ Yeah, uh ♪ ♪ Yeah, uh ♪
1916 01:39:41,919 01:39:45,005 ♪ I been flipping through my timeline ♪ ♪ I been flipping through my timeline ♪
1917 01:39:45,089 01:39:47,925 ♪ Trying to get my mind right ♪ ♪ Trying to get my mind right ♪
1918 01:39:48,008 01:39:49,802 ♪ My city cried out ♪ ♪ My city cried out ♪
1919 01:39:49,885 01:39:52,972 ♪ I got to cool down, but I'm under pressure ♪ ♪ I got to cool down, but I'm under pressure ♪
1920 01:39:53,055 01:39:55,599 ♪ Cooking with my Crisco ♪ ♪ Cooking with my Crisco ♪
1921 01:39:55,683 01:39:57,726 ♪ Look at where my fist go ♪ ♪ Look at where my fist go ♪
1922 01:39:57,810 01:40:00,396 ♪ A renegade when I'm in a rage ♪ ♪ A renegade when I'm in a rage ♪
1923 01:40:00,479 01:40:03,190 ♪ I got to cool down, but I'm under pressure ♪ ♪ I got to cool down, but I'm under pressure ♪
1924 01:40:03,273 01:40:05,901 ♪ I keep my hands dirty, my mind clean ♪ ♪ I keep my hands dirty, my mind clean ♪
1925 01:40:05,985 01:40:09,405 ♪ Got a new agenda with a new dream, uh ♪ ♪ Got a new agenda with a new dream, uh ♪
1926 01:40:09,488 01:40:11,240 ♪ I'm kicking out the old regime ♪ ♪ I'm kicking out the old regime ♪
1927 01:40:11,323 01:40:14,284 ♪ Liberation, elevation, education ♪ ♪ Liberation, elevation, education ♪
1928 01:40:14,368 01:40:16,620 ♪ America, you a lie ♪ ♪ America, you a lie ♪
1929 01:40:16,704 01:40:19,081 ♪ But the whole world 'bout to testify ♪ ♪ But the whole world 'bout to testify ♪
1930 01:40:19,164 01:40:21,792 ♪ I said the whole world 'bout to touch the fire ♪ ♪ I said the whole world 'bout to touch the fire ♪
1931 01:40:21,875 01:40:24,837 ♪ And the tables 'bout to, t-t-tables 'bout to ♪ ♪ And the tables 'bout to, t-t-tables 'bout to ♪
1932 01:40:24,920 01:40:28,465 - ♪ Turn, turn, turn ♪ - ♪ Turn, turn, turn ♪ - ♪ Turn, turn, turn ♪ - ♪ Turn, turn, turn ♪
1933 01:40:28,549 01:40:30,175 ♪ Ain't gon' stop until they ♪ ♪ Ain't gon' stop until they ♪
1934 01:40:30,259 01:40:33,762 - ♪ Turn, turn, turn ♪ - ♪ Turn, turn, turn ♪ - ♪ Turn, turn, turn ♪ - ♪ Turn, turn, turn ♪
1935 01:40:33,846 01:40:35,472 ♪ Now it's time for it to ♪ ♪ Now it's time for it to ♪
1936 01:40:35,556 01:40:39,059 - ♪ Turn, turn, turn ♪ - ♪ Turn, turn, turn ♪ - ♪ Turn, turn, turn ♪ - ♪ Turn, turn, turn ♪
1937 01:40:39,143 01:40:40,811 ♪ We can't wait for it to ♪ ♪ We can't wait for it to ♪
1938 01:40:40,894 01:40:43,731 - ♪ Turn, turn ♪ - ♪ Yeah, the table 'bout to turn ♪ - ♪ Turn, turn ♪ - ♪ Yeah, the table 'bout to turn ♪
1939 01:40:43,814 01:40:45,899 ♪ Turn ♪ ♪ Turn ♪
1940 01:40:45,983 01:40:48,360 ♪ It's a boomerang booming back, yeah ♪ ♪ It's a boomerang booming back, yeah ♪
1941 01:40:48,444 01:40:50,988 ♪ You laid a egg, now it's 'bout to hatch, yeah ♪ ♪ You laid a egg, now it's 'bout to hatch, yeah ♪
1942 01:40:51,071 01:40:53,866 ♪ You're gaslighting, 'bout to meet your match, uh ♪ ♪ You're gaslighting, 'bout to meet your match, uh ♪
1943 01:40:53,949 01:40:56,994 ♪ You fuck up the kitchen, then you should do the dishes ♪ ♪ You fuck up the kitchen, then you should do the dishes ♪
1944 01:40:57,077 01:40:59,163 ♪ Burning down plantations, uh ♪ ♪ Burning down plantations, uh ♪
1945 01:40:59,246 01:41:01,707 ♪ Ain't no park and I don't need no validation ♪ ♪ Ain't no park and I don't need no validation ♪
1946 01:41:01,790 01:41:04,501 ♪ I light sage when I'm in a rage, uh ♪ ♪ I light sage when I'm in a rage, uh ♪
1947 01:41:04,585 01:41:07,588 ♪ I don't need permission, I got my intuition ♪ ♪ I don't need permission, I got my intuition ♪
1948 01:41:07,671 01:41:10,132 ♪ Hands dirty, mind clean ♪ ♪ Hands dirty, mind clean ♪
1949 01:41:10,215 01:41:13,385 ♪ A different vision with a new dream, uh ♪ ♪ A different vision with a new dream, uh ♪
1950 01:41:13,469 01:41:15,262 ♪ We kicking out the old regime ♪ ♪ We kicking out the old regime ♪
1951 01:41:15,345 01:41:17,765 ♪ Liberation, elevation, education ♪ ♪ Liberation, elevation, education ♪
1952 01:41:17,848 01:41:20,601 ♪ I said, America, you's a lie ♪ ♪ I said, America, you's a lie ♪
1953 01:41:20,684 01:41:23,062 ♪ But the whole world 'bout to testify ♪ ♪ But the whole world 'bout to testify ♪
1954 01:41:23,145 01:41:25,773 ♪ I said the whole world 'bout to testify ♪ ♪ I said the whole world 'bout to testify ♪
1955 01:41:25,856 01:41:28,692 ♪ We gon' watch the table, now we gon' watch the table ♪ ♪ We gon' watch the table, now we gon' watch the table ♪
1956 01:41:28,776 01:41:30,235 - ♪ T-Turn ♪ - ♪ Turn ♪ - ♪ T-Turn ♪ - ♪ Turn ♪
1957 01:41:30,319 01:41:32,821 - ♪ Turn, turn ♪ - ♪ Turn, turn ♪ - ♪ Turn, turn ♪ - ♪ Turn, turn ♪
1958 01:41:32,905 01:41:34,364 ♪ That's right ♪ ♪ That's right ♪
1959 01:41:34,448 01:41:37,284 - ♪ Turn, turn, turn ♪ - ♪ Turn, turn, turn ♪ - ♪ Turn, turn, turn ♪ - ♪ Turn, turn, turn ♪
1960 01:41:37,367 01:41:39,453 ♪ We waited too long, you gotta ♪ ♪ We waited too long, you gotta ♪
1961 01:41:39,536 01:41:43,123 - ♪ Turn, just turn, turn ♪ - ♪ Turn, turn, turn ♪ - ♪ Turn, just turn, turn ♪ - ♪ Turn, turn, turn ♪
1962 01:41:43,207 01:41:44,917 ♪ We see it all now ♪ ♪ We see it all now ♪
1963 01:41:45,000 01:41:47,461 - ♪ Turn, turn ♪ - ♪ Turn, said the table got to turn ♪ - ♪ Turn, turn ♪ - ♪ Turn, said the table got to turn ♪
1964 01:41:47,544 01:41:50,255 - ♪ Turn, tables, turn ♪ - ♪ Yeah ♪ - ♪ Turn, tables, turn ♪ - ♪ Yeah ♪
1965 01:41:50,339 01:41:52,800 ♪ Turn, tables, turn ♪ ♪ Turn, tables, turn ♪
1966 01:41:52,883 01:41:58,263 ♪ Turn, tables, turn, turn, tables, turn ♪ ♪ Turn, tables, turn, turn, tables, turn ♪
1967 01:41:58,347 01:42:00,891 ♪ Turn, tables, turn ♪ ♪ Turn, tables, turn ♪
1968 01:42:00,974 01:42:06,313 ♪ Turn, tables, turn, turn, tables, turn ♪ ♪ Turn, tables, turn, turn, tables, turn ♪
1969 01:42:06,396 01:42:09,108 ♪ Turn, tables, turn ♪ ♪ Turn, tables, turn ♪
1970 01:42:09,191 01:42:10,859 ♪ Turn. ♪ ♪ Turn. ♪