GEORGIA: The Senate Runoff Election between Senator Raphael Warnock and Hershal Walker will take place on Tuesday, December 6. Early voting begins on November 28 and will end on December 2.

On Tuesday, November 15th, Raphael Warnock’s campaign filed a lawsuit against Georgia after the state said it would not offer Saturday early voting for the closely watched runoff in which Warnock is seeking re-election to the US Senate.

Contradictions have arisen from the shortened runoff period for voting that Georgia Republicans put into effect last year in order to deter people from voting. The four-week period that was supposed to last nine weeks is now in conflict with the state law that doesn’t allow early voting around holidays. According to state law, early voting on the Saturday after Thanksgiving would not be allowed. The day after Thanksgiving is also a state holiday in Georgia, which was originally created to commemorate Robert E Lee, a Confederate civil war general. However, in 2015, state officials decided to take Lee’s name off of the holiday and just refer to it as a “state holiday”.

In 2020, Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff were elected to the Senate in a run-off election by Georgia voters. They did not receive the 50.1 percent majority vote required by state law in the general election. The Urban Politician Alliance was able to get started with the help of generous donors from different parts of the United States. We were able to gather the necessary funds through both small and large donations, and we partnered with Georgia State Representative Doreen Carter and the DeKalb County Democratic Party. This allowed us to bring both Warnock and Ossoff to the Black Dot Cultural Center on Main Street in Lithonia. We also implemented a get-the-vote-out campaign that led to massive turnouts in DeKalb County, Georgia.

This year, we have less time to send Senator Warnock back to the Senate, and we need your help once again. The Urban Politician Alliance is a grassroots organization whose goal is to inform, engage, and activate the voting power of local citizens. We understand that all politics is local and that we must elect officials who will serve our communities.

Your donation will go directly to helping the Urban Politician Alliance organize local DeKalb County voters and getting the vote out during early elections from November 28th through December 2nd and election day December 6th.

The post Mobilizing the Vote for Warnock appeared first on Urban Politician.

Hey Atlanta,

You’re upset that Special prosecutor Peter Skandalakis didn’t indict Garrett Rolfe and Devin Brosnan for killing Rashard Brooks? I am too, however, what are the laws in Atlanta governing police use of force? Who makes the laws governing police use of force? The Atlanta City Council makes the laws and the Mayor signs them. The same goes for police union contracts. More importantly, who votes for council members? The citizens of Atlanta vote for them in office. Even if you stand on the sidelines and don’t vote, your nonvote or your voice stands in the way of corrective action. The other side wins. Police officers continue to be held to a different standard.

Prosecutors can only indict based on the laws that govern their decisions. What was the Atlanta Citizens Review Board recommendation or Police Officers Standards and Training (POST)? Were these officers stripped of the certifications or cleared by all agencies?

What was the recommendation of the Citizens Review Board or the Police Officers Standards and Training (POST)? Did these officers have their certifications removed?

Here are some action items.

• It is imperative that you petition your local representatives to Update the legislation governing law enforcement’s use of force.
• If demands aren’t met, vote for officials that will meet your demands
• Require police officers to carry liability insurance.
• Get involved with the Citizens Review Board
• Don’t get mad, stand up, be counted

Atlanta is a predominantly Black city; if you harness your political power, you can ensure that no more police officers get away with murdering an unarmed citizen.

If you want more information on police officers’ liability insurance plans, check out this article.

The post Upset About the Rashard Brooks Decision appeared first on Urban Politician.

Written by Kazemde Ajamu

How the Southern Strategy is at work

The Southern Strategy was a political strategy employed by Richard Nixon and the Republican Party in the United States to win votes from white southern voters who had traditionally been loyal to the Democratic Party. The strategy involved appealing to white southern voters on issues such as race and law and order. In the 1972 Presidential election, Nixon won 43.4 percent of the vote to Humphrey’s 42.7 percent, and Wallace captured 13.5 percent. Third-party candidate George Wallace was unsuccessful in his run for the U.S. presidency that year, winning 13 percent of the vote (9,906,473) and five Southern states as the nominee of the anti-liberal American Independent Party.  Wallace garnered the majority of his backing from White Southerners and disgruntled blue-collar workers who were fed up with the Democratic Party’s Civil Rights policies from the previous decade. The success of this tactic led to its adoption by other Republican-majority states.

In 2021, the Republicans have complete control over the legislative and executive branches in 23 states, while the Democrats will have control of the legislative and executive branches in 15 states. African Americans make up a significant portion of the population in Republican-controlled states. As of 2022, the population of African Americans living in the 23 states controlled by Republican politics is 20,925,486.

 The Federal government’s passing of legislation to end Jim Crow and ensure rights for women was vital in setting the stage for progress in the southern states and across the country. This number is expected to increase in the coming years, which made it all the more imperative that the Southern Strategy refocuses its efforts on fighting for State Rights.

The term “states’ rights” is often used in political discussions, but what does it actually mean? States’ rights are the powers and authority that are reserved for state governments, as opposed to the federal government. This means that each state has the right to govern itself and make its own laws, as long as those laws don’t violate the Constitution.

So why is this important? The states’ rights vs. federal government. It is clear that in order for the Republican party to maintain power, they need to grow their base and control state politics. By passing laws within their own states and sending representatives to Washington to vote on legislation and putting Supreme Court Justices on the bench, they are working to dismantle any obstacles that stand in their way.

Beginning in 1954, the Supreme Court ruled that segregated seating was unconstitutional and made segregation illegal in public schools in the case of Brown v. Board of Education. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964—legislation initiated by President John F. Kennedy—into law on July 2 of that year. Followed by the Voting Rights Act on August 6, 1965. The Fair Housing Act was a groundbreaking piece of legislation that was passed in the aftermath of King’s assassination. It aimed to put an end to housing discrimination and ensured that everyone had equal access to housing opportunities, regardless of race, sex, national origin, or religion. This act was one of the many accomplishments of the civil rights movement. The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) passed Congress in 1972 and was quickly ratified by 35 of the 38 states needed for it to become part of the Constitution. As the seven-year time limit for ratification approached in 1979, Congress and President Jimmy Carter controversially extended the deadline by three years. However, no additional states ratified.  During the mid-1970s, a conservative backlash against feminism eroded support for the Equal Rights Amendment, which ultimately failed to achieve ratification by the requisite 38, or three-fourths, of the states, by the deadline set by Congress. Roe v. Wade is a 1973 Supreme Court case that legalized abortion nationwide. The decision was based on the Fourteenth Amendment, which protects a woman’s right to privacy.

When Trump nominated Brett Kavanaugh, Neil Gorsuch, and Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, it shifted the ideological balance of power toward conservatives who embraced the Southern Strategy. These justices have embraced the Southern Strategy and delivered rulings that have brought power back to the states. The Supreme Court is now majority-conservative, we can expect to see more rulings that favor the states over the federal government and that chisel away at the civil rights protections that have been put in place over the past few decades. This is a major shift in the balance of power, and it will have far-reaching consequences for our country.

The recent Supreme Court decisions on the Voting Rights Act and Roe v. Wade show that the Southern Strategy is working. For example, the Voting Rights Act was weakened when the Federal government was stripped of its oversight role. Similarly, Roe was overturned, and states were given the power to make their own decisions about abortion. This is a huge step backward for civil rights in America.

Although schools are no longer legally segregated, 23 Republican-controlled states are introducing legislation that prevents educators from teaching history through the experiences of African Americans and other minority groups in America. Florida Governor Ron Desantis, a potential candidate for President in 2024, has recently signed into law one of the most oppressive education policies in the country. In an article for the Counterpunch titled “The Nazification of American Education,” Henry Giroux writes: “Not only are these laws aimed at minorities of class and color, but this GOP attack on education is part of a larger war on the very ability to think, question, and engage in politics from the vantage point of being critical, informed, and willing to hold power accountable. More generally, it is part of a concerted effort not only to destroy public education but the very foundations of political agency.” This is a very serious problem that needs to be addressed. It is imperative that we take action against this discrimination to ensure that all students have access to quality education.

What began in 1968 with Nixon’s attempt to convert White southern voters to the Republican party by appealing to their racist and misogynistic policies through messaging that would be described as dog whistles or code language that only whites can understand, became the national calling card for the conservative movement. The “less government intrusion” platform plank of the republican party is nothing more than their “State Rights” agenda. The coded language ended when Trump won the 2016 Republican primaries and Presidential election. Trump spoke directly to the White disgruntled voters of America who feared that their whiteness was losing political and economic power to African Americans, women, and other minorities. Trump and his Republican base began to exercise their right to hate speech both politically and socially protected by the Constitution.

In the unsuccessful bid for Trump’s reelection, he still garnered 74,223,369 votes, the second most by any presidential candidate. More confirmation that the messaging of the Southern Strategy which was designed to win over Southern white voters has now permeated the mainstream. The current political landscape is dominated by identity politics. This has resulted in a decrease in moderate Republicans and fiscal conservatism has become the prevailing ideology while trying to conceal the true objectives. The groundswell of support from primary voters is carrying this party’s agenda forward, and those who align with this ideology are voicing their approval loudly. Those who oppose this movement within the party are keeping mum for fear of being voted out in future primaries. We saw the lengths they were willing to go to when the aforementioned loss was so devastating to them that they not only spread misinformation but also resorted to deception and violence in an attempt to storm the Capitol and disrupt Congress’ constitutional duty to certify Biden’s election.

Fortunately, Trump and his divisive rhetoric did not win in the end. Biden not only won the electoral college, but he also won the popular vote by over 7 million votes. This fight is far from over, with the midterm elections this year and the presidential election in 2024. Trumpism, identity politics, and the southern strategy are synonymous and still very much alive, even without Trump himself.

In conclusion, the consequences of the Republican platform are immeasurable. The ongoing campaign to spread misinformation amongst African Americans is designed to create apathy and confusion. This is precisely what they aim to achieve–create enough chaos as well as passing legislation to disenfranchise voters to guarantee their party’s victory. Their goal is to make America like it was before–great again. Which ultimately means returning us to our former position.

No matter how complex the Republican agenda becomes, we can see through it. We must be constantly vigilant in scrutinizing information designed to alarm us and prevent us from participating in the political process. While we should be concerned with what the current Administration and this Democratic Congress are doing or not doing, we must not lose sight of what the Republican agenda will do if they regain power.

It is imperative that we all turn out to vote this November. Why do you ask? Well, if we want to maintain control of both houses in Congress and also increase numbers in the Senate by having three more Democratic members, that’s why. Additionally, doing so would allow us to codify abortion rights for women and pass the John Lewis Voting Act – which would help restore the Voting Rights Act’s requirement that states pre-clear any changes made to their voting laws with the federal government. The act was reintroduced in the 117th Congress and is named after the late Georgia Representative and voting rights activist John Lewis. Another important piece of legislation we should demand is the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, it is a bold, comprehensive approach to hold police accountable, change the culture of law enforcement, empower our communities, and build trust between law enforcement and our communities by addressing systemic racism and bias to help save lives. These are only a few examples of the legislation we could hope to achieve but by no means a comprehensive list.

While we are focusing on Federal legislation, we cannot lose sight of what is taking place in our local and state politics. Remember that all politics is local. The Republican Party’s strategy for the last 50 years has been to control the politics in states. That strategy has proven successful for them. We are most effective where we live and must push back collectively on these repressive policies.

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Thank you for your support.

The post The Dismantling of Civil Rights in America. appeared first on Urban Politician.

By Kazemde Ajamu, The Urban Politician

I am a strong advocate for local politics; it is there that we can make the most impact on our daily lives. I attended the DeKalb County Board of Elections meeting and had the opportunity to see just how dysfunctional local government can be. I will stipulate that the Board is understaffed due to how funds are allocated in the county. But that’s a discussion for another day.

At these meetings, residents are allowed to challenge residency for registered voters in the county and challenge the residency qualifications for candidates running for office. To challenge the residency of a registered voter is quite easy. A citizen can arbitrarily gather a list of voters and challenge their residency, which consequently challenges their right to vote in their district or county. When the list is submitted to the Board of Elections, it becomes their responsibility to go through each one to verify and categorize each one into active, non-active or removal. For example, if you move but remain in your district without changing your address with the Post Office and Driver License you may end up on the non-active list or removed completely. Your status is left up to the five (5) Board Members or the Board of Elections where you reside. This can be a very thorough process yet maddening at the same time. I watched one particular Member Susan Motter (D) go as far as pulling property tax records in Maryland to prove a registered voter no longer lived in the property. Another registered voter changed her address with the Post Office and Driver’s License Bureau. This change triggered a notification to the Election Board and she still received a notice that she may be removed, only to find out she didn’t need to be there in the first place. If you move, it is ultimately your responsibility to ensure your paperwork is in order. Otherwise, you leave yourself open to confusion and possible removal from the voting rolls.

As to the reason I went to the meeting with the Board of Elections in the first place. My business is in the City of Lithonia, which is in DeKalb County. Although I don’t live in Lithonia, I am very active in its politics. I sincerely care about the residents in this city and I even serve as the Vice President of the Lithonia Business Association. Needless to say, I have a vested interest in Lithonia. 2019 is an election year in Lithonia. Mayoral and City Council seats are up. The candidates for Mayor are Two-Term Council Woman and Jacinda “Cindy” Thomas.

This piece will focus on the two Mayoral candidates. In order to run for elected office in Lithonia, you must establish residency for at least one year. So candidates running for office had to have lived here as of November of 2018 in order to qualify to run for office.

Lithonia is a small city, one square mile with a population of just over 2,000. Most of the residents have been here for decades if not centuries. The business community is small and close-knit but growing. The future is bright for Lithonia. News travels fast in Lithonia as in most small cities. In the business community, we know each other fairly well. We’ve created a family environment among business owners. We have developed such a fondness for each other that our lives connect well beyond business hours.

A Councilwoman who is running for mayor is a child of Lithonia, born and raised here. I’m a little old school and believe in the days when the community had a hand in raising all of its children. I first met the Councilwoman three years ago when I began attending Bi-Monthly City Council meetings. My initial impression was that she was quiet and polite, a product of good upbringing. I quickly learned to not let her quiet and polite demeanor fool you. She is a fierce advocate for what is right. A characteristic often spoken about but seldom adhered to.  It wasn’t about political expedience with her. She actually sits back and listens to your concerns and moves on it. If it’s about the betterment of Lithonia’s residents and businesses, she has been all in. The Councilwoman really earned my respect when we disagreed on an issue. I was caught offhand with how strong she stated her position. I didn’t expect how she broke down her position with such clarity and how she almost changed my mind. I didn’t change my mind. However, in a subsequent conversation with her, she acknowledged that we both wanted what’s best for the city, and that’s a debate she doesn’t mind having. Watching City Council meetings over the last 3 years, I have observed that she is never the loudest voice in the room, but when she speaks, everyone listens. She became for me at least, the “Quiet Storm.” Not only is the Councilwoman quiet, steadfast, strong and articulate, she is also a lifelong resident, Councilwoman, and part-owner of a well-established business in Lithonia. She is perfectly positioned to fill the needs of the entire Lithonia Family.

There was a challenge to Mayoral candidate Jacinda “Cindy” Thomas’s residency qualifications by three Lithonia residents, City Council Members William “Ric” Dodd, Amelia Inman, and a local resident.

Cindy Thomas came to Lithonia sometime in late spring or early summer of 2018. She came to Green Love Kitchen with her Sister. During her visit, she met a local resident and business owner which gave her a tour of downtown Lithonia, something we pride ourselves in doing for people who have an interest in becoming part of our business family. When Cindy and the local resident developed a romantic relationship, we were all happy for him and his newfound friend. Cindy seemed to all of us to have it together, being bright, energetic, and motivated. The local resident had just recently purchased a building and was opening up an Arts Center in downtown Lithonia. Cindy was the catalyst to make it a reality. Unfortunately, the relationship between resident and Cindy soured and broke off in January of 2019. We barely saw Cindy through the winter and spring. Cindy started to reappear and the next thing we know she is running for Mayor of Lithonia. Practically every one of us in the business community is well aware Cindy does not fulfill the residency requirements to run for Mayor, or any seat in Lithonia, Georgia.

When it was time for DeKalb County Board of Elections to hear the challenge to Cindy Thomas’s residency, Ric Dodd and Amelia Inman contested that Cindy could not have lived at the rooming house on Swift Street because the building received their occupancy statement in late spring. No one could have imagined that Cindy and her attorney would attest under oath that Cindy lived at the local residency up until July of 2019. More importantly, the Board required no additional information to support Cindy’s residency, totally dismissing two City Council members’ claims. To add insult to injury, the attorney produced a sworn affidavit from her ex-boyfriend that Cindy did, in fact, live at his address currently. Now I’m not sure if the Board had already received copies of that affidavit, but not one Member asked to view it nor did the attorney hand it to them. So herein lies my issue with the Board. Just like they went the extra step to prove a voter lived in Maryland which is not required by law, they could have gone further and asked for a lease or utility bill to prove residency. The same rules should apply to both residents and candidates. This is exactly why people don’t trust the system, because when one is trying to do the honorable thing, no one takes it seriously. Yet, someone can compile a list of voters to purge, and everyone caught up in that list is subject to be removed. As I walked out of the hearing room, a woman who just witnessed the proceedings asked me if everyone feared that Cindy Thomas was going to win. I responded, “It’s not about winning and losing, it’s about the integrity of the process. How can we ever get the voting public to engage in their civic duties if all levels of government won’t hold to the very principles they require from us?”

When one wants to deceive the public, getting a driver’s license or an ex- boyfriend to sign an affidavit is easy. When we don’t hold elected officials accountable for their actions, we all lose. Sadly, while our communities are losing, these same politicians are profiting. One has to ask, why would someone go this far to deceive the same public she wishes to serve? We certainly don’t believe she has the public interest at heart.

It may seem obvious which way I’m leaning; however, it should be obvious to us all. We don’t let outsiders come into our homes to run our households. When you raise your children up to be leaders, you don’t look past them when it’s their time.

There is always a silver lining in all things. In the end, it is the voting public who decides. It is our job to make sure that the voting public makes decisions based on facts. An engaged and informed voting public maintains the power to elect and hold politicians accountable for their actions. We focus on Presidents, Governors, and Mayors during election season; however, it’s the U.S. Congress, State Houses, and City Councils that hold the power to pass laws and the power of the purse. Seldom do we focus on who sits on a Board of Elections and what laws and policies guide them. Governing laws and funding for the DeKalb County Board of Elections are managed by the DeKalb County Commissioners. If the Board of Elections lacks the proper funding to protect our vote and to ensure integrity in the entire election process, they should be held accountable. It doesn’t end there. No changes happen without each and every single one of us. We are the key to change. If we don’t like what we are seeing, it’s time to change the leadership; it’s time to vote people out of office. If you’re a registered voter that has moved or you haven’t voted in past elections, make sure you’ve completed a change of address with the U.S. Postal Service and changed your address with the Department of Motor Vehicles. For additional protection, while you’re at the DMV, update your voter registration card. These actions may not stop some unknown individual or group from challenging your residency and right to vote, but it will keep you safe from getting removed from the voting polls.

DeKalb County Board of Elections

• Anthony Lewis (R)
• Susan Motter (D)
• Dele Lowman Smith (D)
• Samuel E. Tillman (N)
• Baoky N. Vu (R)

Kazemde Ajamu

The post The Foolery of Lithonia Elections appeared first on Urban Politician.