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Rev. Al Sharpton visits Richmond, continues push for voter registration

Posted at 12:23 AM, Oct 10, 2012
and last updated 2012-10-10 00:43:54-04

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR)--A voter registration and empowerment rally in Richmond drew more than two thousand people and a prominent civil rights leader.

Cedar Street Baptist Church was filled Tuesday evening as groups like Rolling For Freedom and the National Action Network pulled together to get the message out about the importance of voting.

Rev. Al Sharpton spent much of the day with local clergy members and community leaders as they conducted a workshop and later hosted a voter registration rally.

“We have a packed church and I think that there is great leadership here. People who say we must mobilize voters and the response has been overwhelming,” Rev. Sharpton said.

Radio One’s Miss Community Clovia said the message they’re always pushing is one of voter empowerment.

“We are a nonpartisan organization and we believe people can exercise their right to vote and if you have a question, that’s the most important piece,” Clovia said. “Understanding what voting means for you and your family and the community.”

That sentiment was echoed by Rev. Sharpton as he addressed a crowd of more than 2,000 people during Tuesday’s voter empowerment and registration rally.

He emphasized the importance of getting people to vote. “We have a week left and our appeal all day has been that people must register to vote,” he said. “The price of getting the right was too painful and too high,” Sharpton said.

Miss Community Clovia says the push will continue all the way until Oct. 15. She said the public is invited to attend Rolling for Freedom’s “One Vote” voter rally this Friday, Oct. 12.
  
She said participants will be able to register and vote. 

Convicted felons will also be able to start the process of getting their rights restored. For felons looking to be restored, organizers say they must come to the rally with a copy of their sentencing order and proof that all of their fines have been paid.

That “One Vote” voter rally will be held at 18th and Broad Street in Shockoe Bottom this Friday, Oct. 12 from 5 a.m. until 7 p.m.