Black Pastors Issue Urgent Plea to Voters at Sunday Services
Source: Associated Press
Black Pastors Issue Urgent Plea to Voters at Sunday Services
By JEFF KAROUB AND RACHEL ZOLL, ASSOCIATED PRESS DETROIT Nov 6, 2016, 5:17 PM ET
At Sunday services, in rallies and on social media, black pastors urged congregants to vote, hoping to inspire a late flood of African-American turnout that could help propel Democrat Hillary Clinton to victory in critical swing states on Tuesday.
In Detroit, a pastor spoke of voting and citizenship. In Philadelphia, the minister reminded congregants others had died for their chance to cast a ballot. The Rev. Jesse Jackson spoke to a crowd of a few hundred people gathered in front of City Hall in Tallahassee, Florida, right before they marched a block over to the county courthouse to vote early.
Along with women and Hispanics, African-Americans are seen as critical to Clinton's chances against Republican Donald Trump, who polls show is not popular among black voters. However, early voting data from key states indicate turnout will not be as high this year as it was four years ago, when Barack Obama, the nation's first African-American president, was on the ballot. Sunday's efforts were aimed at minimizing that decline.
Bishop T.D. Jakes, pastor of the Texas megachurch The Potter's House, who has a national and international following, tweeted on a red, white and blue backdrop, "Make sure your voice is heard. Vote on Nov. 8."
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