Florida faith leaders discuss concern over voter intimidation tactics, call for safety at polls

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Faith leaders from throughout Florida held a digital press convention Friday to discuss issues about voter intimidation ways and violence as voters make their technique to the polls.

“We will not be deterred. We will not be moved. Come with all that you have, and we’re still coming to the polls,” stated Pastor Marcus McCoy with Greater Refuge Memorial Church in Orlando.

Faith leaders referred to as on supervisors of elections all through Florida to demand that every one votes get to train their proper to vote and are secure whereas doing so.

“We want to make sure that all the sites are safe in the state of Florida so that we may vote,” stated Pastor Tracy Stallworth with Kingdom Glory Worship Assembly in Quincy.

The pastors advised News4JAX that apart from their issues about potential violence is the unforgettable historical past of disenfranchisement of Black voters.

“People of color communities have experienced so much disenfranchisement with SB90, HB1, and all of these different legislative bills that have come down the last couple of legislative sessions,” stated Od’Juan Whitfield, Florida affiliate supervisor for faith in public life. “We’re people of faith, but at the same time, we live in this world that chooses to decide how much we can participate in this democracy based on our color.”

According to the state of Florida’s Division of Elections, total there are 14.5 million voters in Florida and roughly 1.9 million of them are Black.

Although the leaders have been monitoring points that they stated haven’t occurred in their very own communities, preventative measures are mandatory.

“Some issues were people standing outside of the sites with incorrect signage diverting people to other places. Some others were flags that represent a particular political stance while other Black voters were coming in saying things, and we just don’t want to see it here,” McCoy stated.

The pastors stated by putting their very own polling screens at voting websites is a technique to ensure voters’ ballots are counted.

They additionally stated every faith chief has gone by way of intensive coaching in de-escalation ways to make sure if something occurs, they’re ready to reply.