Michael Eric Dyson challenges the NAACP to “not sit idly by”

September 23, 2012 Filed under CENTRAL FLORIDA, FRONT PAGE Posted by dteditor

DAYTONA BEACH - Michael Eric Dyson, PhD inspired the delegates to exercise their right to make their voices heard through their vote as the keynote speaker at a luncheon hosted by the Florida AFL-CIO at the Florida State Conference of the NAACP in Daytona Beach today. Dr. Dyson is a hard-hitting political pundit, frequent commentator on MSNBC and other networks and a Professor of Sociology at Georgetown University. He discussed how “voter suppression is a distinct element of a shameful legacy: to deny black and other vulnerable people the right to vote.” He went on to say that “the machinations of the far right, and even of many mainstream conservatives, with a view to hindering the black franchise and hampering the exercise of legally protected rights, is a blight on American democracy.”

He rallied the attendees to vote and challenged them to get others to the polls too. “We cannot sit idly by while one of our most precious freedoms — the freedom to express our will through the ballot, a freedom won at the expense of life and limb — is assaulted by unprincipled and unpatriotic Americans. I stand with those whose consciences are seared and whose hard won liberties are at stake!”

Following the luncheon, Alma Gonzalez, Esquire, the Voter Protection Director for the Florida AFL-CIO and Eddie Hailes of the Advancement Project gave a presentation on Florida’s voter protection laws called “We Are Ready”.

For more information about the conference, please visit: www.flanaacp.org

For more information about the Florida AFL-CIO, please visit: www.flaflcio.org