59 years and one day after the signing of the historic Voting Rights Act of 1965, Faith Works, Georgia’s unified body of faith leaders fighting to promote the vote and voice of all African American voters, joined together at the Rev. Martin Luther King Amphitheater (between the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church and the Ebenezer Baptist Church: New Horizon Sanctuary) on Wednesday, August 7.
The purpose of this rally was to unite with elected leaders, press, voting advocates, and other faith leaders from across the state to outline the reality and consequences of Project 2025, provide broad statewide Get-Out-The-Vote plans, and respond to recent efforts by the Georgia Board of Elections regarding the certification of election results.
Faith leaders throughout Georgia launched Faith Works in July 2022 in response to various voter suppression tactics throughout the state and to promote the vote and voice of all African American voters.
The event was led by AME Georgia Bishop Reginald Jackson, Rev. Dr. Cynthia Hale, founder, and Senior Pastor of the Ray of Hope Christian Church; Rev. Timothy McDonald, III, Senior Pastor of the First Iconium Baptist Church, founder of the African American Ministers Leadership Council, and more.
After a record turnout by African American voters in the 2020 election, extremists in Georgia constructed and spent millions of dollars on a campaign designed to minimize and invalidate various communities throughout the state from voting, most specifically, voters of color for this year’s election.
Bishop Jackson said America’s democracy is at risk and every time former President Donald Trump opens his mouth, it’s “ignorance and lies.”
“Every time Donald Trump opens his mouth, he proves his ignorance and lack of sincerity about uniting the nation,” Jackson said. “Donald Trump is a spoiled, petulant, narcissistic punk who craves attention even though he makes no sense.”
Furthermore, Jackson said Trump believes everything is centered around him and it’s alright when Trump doesn’t tell the truth, but it’s an issue when everyone else tells the truth.
“The truth is offensive to him. He’s already trying to suspend the Constitution and already stated he wants to be a dictator. He’s already stated that it’s his intention to deport all the immigrants in this country, whether they are illegal or not, so we’ve got to put the choice before this election,” he said.
Jackson further said Trump is showing all the signs of “a scared child and his daddy is not there to save him.”
“In his hour of desperation, he is going back to his old playbook of race-baiting, birth certificates, and saying anything that will get him back into the news cycle. In a last-minute flip-flop, he is even now trying to retreat from Project 2025, but we don’t believe the hype and we’re going to say that loud and clear,” he said.
Additionally, Jackson said every time Trump opens his mouth, it’s a lie even as far as Project 2025, which he said, “he’s against it but doesn’t know anything about it”.
If [Trump] knows nothing about it, how can he be against it? His administration wrote the project and he wants us to believe that if he’s elected, he’ll have nothing to do with it, Jackson said.
Also, Jackson said they must continue to send a message and make sure the upcoming November election is fair, has integrity, and is certified. He also emphasized the importance of the role of black faith leaders.
“It’s up to us to make sure the truth is told, it’s up to us to make sure this nation is not divided any more than it already is, and it’s up to us to ensure our mission for the American people is discussed,” he said.
Reverend Timothy McDonald said they know they aren’t going to change Trump and aren’t going to waste their time trying.
“We want the African American community and the American people not to be fooled by his lies,” McDonald said. “We are going to spell out to Georgia and the nation what his policies have and will do to this country. We must not, better yet cannot, let his sad vision of hate and division destroy our future.”
The anchor of this effort was Georgia’s anti-voting law, Senate Bill 202, which was signed into law by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp on March 25, 2021.
SB 202 significantly diminishes the ability to request and submit absentee ballots. It also minimizes voting opportunities across the state. Plus, it is illegal to offer food or water to people waiting in long lines to vote. Lastly, the bill places the politically controlled legislature in control of the State Election Board, rather than the elected Secretary of State.
There are several legal challenges to the state’s new voting rules. Also, Coca-Cola and Delta Air Lines have voiced their disapproval with the new measures.
“They want to change the rules again and do anything that will ensure that Donald Trump wins Georgia, we’ve got to send a message,” he said. “We’re not going to stand by and let this happen and we have to make it clear that whatever it takes we’re going to make sure this election is fair.”
They’re making it even easier to challenge people’s right to vote, Jackson said.
“They’re trying to even now make it harder to do early voting and use drop boxes and make it easier to challenge people’s right to vote,” he said. “Why is no one investigating Coffee County and why has no one been charged?”
Jackson also said we’ve got a job to do, and young people are now excited about Harris becoming the democratic party nominee.
To win in November, Jackson said it’s going to take a collective effort.
“We must continue to push our Black women, young black individuals especially Black men to go out to the polls in November and vote for democracy [Kamala Harris]. We cannot go back because this man is violent, dangerous, and right-winged,” he said. “Also check your voting status even if you’ve consistently voted, they are trying to manipulate this election.”
Lastly, Jackson said as Black people, we are adaptable so no matter what we are put through, we will adapt and come out stronger.
To learn more about Faith Works, visit FaithWork.Vote. For more information on Project 2025, visit https://shorturl.at/eQZkP.