Bend the Arc: CU Jewish Action is joining forces with NAACP Champaign County Branch, League of Women Voters of Champaign County, When We All Vote Champaign County, CU Moms Demand Action, First Followers CU, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Champaign-Urbana Alumnae Chapter, and the City of Urbana for a “votercade” on Saturday, May 8th from 1 to 5 p.m.
The event is part of a national movement with over 100 cities bringing attention to S1 and H.R. 4, two bills addressing voting rights. From Minnie Pearson, president of the NAACP of Champaign County:
“John Lewis and over 500 marchers endured dogs and hoses when they tried to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge for voting rights. They withstood all that so we could have the voting privileges we have today. We need our elected officials to understand that no matter what they do, we will remember, and we will go out to vote.”
The votercade will form at Country Fair Shopping Center at 1 p.m. and will end at Lincoln Square Shopping Center. From 3 to 5 p.m., there will be a celebration with music, food, and speakers including Pearson, Urbana Mayor Diane Marlin, Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons, and CU Immigration Forum board member Ricardo Diaz.
Music will be provided by the Hip Hop Express Bus.
If you’d like to participate, you can sign up here. You’re encouraged to bring streamers and posterboard for decorating cars.
Top image from Facebook event page.