Black pastors issue urgent plea to US voters at Sunday services

[webfact]

Black pastors issue urgent plea to voters at Sunday services

By JEFF KAROUB AND RACHEL ZOLL

 

DETROIT (AP) — At Sunday services, in rallies and on social media, black pastors urged congregants to vote, hoping to inspire a late flood of African-American turnout that could help propel Democrat Hillary Clinton to victory in critical swing states on Tuesday.

 

In Detroit, a pastor spoke of voting and citizenship. In Philadelphia, the minister reminded congregants others had died for their chance to cast a ballot. The Rev. Jesse Jackson spoke to a crowd of a few hundred people gathered in front of City Hall in Tallahassee, Florida, right before they marched a block over to the county courthouse to vote early.

 

Along with women and Hispanics, African-Americans are seen as critical to Clinton's chances against Republican Donald Trump, who polls show is not popular among black voters. However, early voting data from key states indicate turnout will not be as high this year as it was four years ago, when Barack Obama, the nation's first African-American president, was on the ballot. Sunday's efforts were aimed at minimizing that decline.

 

Bishop T.D. Jakes, pastor of the Texas megachurch The Potter's House, who has a national and international following, tweeted on a red, white and blue backdrop, "Make sure your voice is heard. Vote on Nov. 8."

 

"Preachers are trying to strike a moral nerve and somehow penetrate the fog of indifference and try to remind people what's at stake this year," said the Rev. James Forbes, retired senior minister of The Riverside Church, who has been traveling the country to mobilize voters. He will speak Sunday night in New York for a national get-out-the-vote telecast from the church called "The Revival: Time for a Moral Revolution in Values."

 

Forbes and other pastors have taken pains to emphasize they were not endorsing a candidate, but it was hard to mistake some remarks Sunday that signaled a deep opposition to Trump.

 

"There are some folk in this country who think that to make this country great again, we've got to exclude folks," said the Rev. Mark Tyler, pastor of Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church in Philadelphia, founded in the 18th century as one of the first black churches in the U.S. "We've always been great because we've always been open to strangers. If it was not for the goodness of the first Americans, there would be no America today."

 

The number of African-American voters has increased steadily: 12.9 million in 2000, 14 million in 2004, 16 million in 2008 and 17.8 million in 2012. In the last presidential election year, blacks for the first time voted at a higher rate, 66.2 percent, than did whites (64.1 percent), or Asian-Americans or Hispanics, with rates of about 48 percent each.

 

Besides the absence of a black candidate on either major-party ticket, community leaders and others blame the lower turnout so far on voter suppression efforts, such as limits to early voting hours in some communities and challenges by individuals to voter registrations. A federal judge last Friday ordered registrations to be restored in three North Carolina counties for what could be thousands of challenged voters.

 

Underscoring the importance of black voters to her campaign, Clinton started her day Sunday with the largely African-American congregation of Mount Airy Church of God in Christ in Philadelphia. The Rev. Leah Daughtry, chief executive of the Democratic National Convention, spoke across town at Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church.

 

Worshippers clapped and cheered as Tyler, the Mother Bethel pastor, told them "don't let there be any excuse" for not showing up at the polls, even with a lingering public transit strike. "Somebody died for you to have a right," Tyler said.

 

In Tallahassee, the event with the mayor, local pastors and Jackson evoked a street carnival amid the sizzle of thick sausages cooking on the grill and snow cones being distributed. Jackson referenced civil rights leaders and the chaotic 2000 presidential election he contended was "stolen" on behalf of George W. Bush by the U.S. Supreme Court.

 

Roz Booker, a 56-year-old black voter, said this election season has been a "mess," but her ancestors had died for the right to vote and she had already cast her ballot. Booker described herself as "anti-Trump," criticizing the Republican nominee for what she called "promoting hate" against minorities.

 

At New Destiny Christian Fellowship, a predominantly black church in Detroit, the pastor spoke of being a "good citizen" on Election Day. Congregant Tiffany Gunter, who is voting for Clinton, noted that enthusiasm in 2016 was lower among African-Americans than in the previous presidential race. "What Hillary Clinton has is experience. Is she perfect? Absolutely not. There are things about her that I wish were different, but I believe that she does listen and she can adapt," Gunter said.

 

In North Carolina, where clergy and others have led marches to early voting sites, preliminary early voting totals showed a drop in percentages for Democratic and black voters compared to 2012, while unaffiliated and Republican vote totals were higher.

 

"We better vote, simply because people have tried to take the right," said the Rev. William Barber, state president of the North Carolina NAACP, outside a church in Wilson, about 40 miles east of Raleigh, as he worked to mobilize voters Saturday.

 

The Rev. Michael McBride, pastor of a predominantly black church in California and a leader of the PICO Network, which works for criminal justice reform and against gun violence, said the bitter tone of the campaign and the personal attacks between Trump and Clinton have "really worn on a lot of people" and drained interest in voting.

 

"I think we have to temper some of our disappointment with the reality that we're going to have to live with our decision for the next four years or eight years," said McBride, who has been traveling the country to rally voters. "Folks are wrestling with that."

_____

Zoll reported from Amherst, Massachusetts. Gary D. Robertson in Wilson, North Carolina; Errin Haines Whack in Philadelphia; Gary Fineout in Tallahassee contributed to this report.

[OMGImInPattaya]

Interesting how these pastors and their churches maintain the tax-exempt status while engaging in political activities, which are prohibited by law for such organizations...another clear example of the Corrupt Hillary campaign operation and how the election is fixed.

[attrayant]

You mean like this?

 

‘Mortal sin’ to vote Democratic, says San Diego Catholic church flier, linking Hillary Clinton to Satan

 

Is this also a clear example of the Clinton campaign fixing the election?

[cardinalblue]

No problem with encouraging and assisting people to get them to the polling places. How they vote is up to each individual when they get behind that curtain....

 

Hospitals are also tax exempt status and I personally will drive our patients there if that is what it takes...access to voting is important

 

Wasn't that some assassination attempt in Nevada? That was fixed also...an inside job to bring attention to a state that just turned color!

 

I wonder if they are feeling blue in Az and Nv at the moment?

[Dustdevil]

1 hour ago, OMGImInPattaya said:

Interesting how these pastors and their churches maintain the tax-exempt status while engaging in political activities, which are prohibited by law for such organizations...another clear example of the Corrupt Hillary campaign operation and how the election is fixed.

I do believe--in fact I am positive--that the First Amendment applies to everyone except prison inmates and active servicemen.

[derator01]

Please stick to the topic.  Plenty of other ones here where you can bash your preferred politician.

[ilostmypassword]

10 minutes ago, Dustdevil said:

I do believe--in fact I am positive--that the First Amendment applies to everyone except prison inmates and active servicemen.

You're quite right. Religious leaders are allowed to say whatever they like. But if they start taking sides in politics, then they risk losing their tax exempt status. That tax exempt status is a privilege - not a right.

[OMGImInPattaya]

1 hour ago, Dustdevil said:

I do believe--in fact I am positive--that the First Amendment applies to everyone except prison inmates and active servicemen.

Well you're very uninformed on the Internal Revenue Code and its provisions regarding the activities of non-profits.

Edited November 7, 2016 by OMGImInPattaya

[Langsuan Man]

29 minutes ago, OMGImInPattaya said:

Well you're very uninformed on the Internal Revenue Code and its provisions regarding the activities of non-profits.

 

Seems that the Don is not very uninformed about non-profits either since the New York State Attorney General is currently looking into how his non-profit has been used to pay off fines for zoning violations

[Baerboxer]

4 hours ago, attrayant said:

You mean like this?

 

‘Mortal sin’ to vote Democratic, says San Diego Catholic church flier, linking Hillary Clinton to Satan

 

Is this also a clear example of the Clinton campaign fixing the election?

 

Be fair, you can't get more corrupt than the Catholic church! 

 

The Clinton's are ants by comparison.

 

If the Catholic church is backing one side not surprising the African Americans and Jews support the other. 

Edited November 7, 2016 by Baerboxer

[ilostmypassword]

37 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Be fair, you can't get more corrupt than the Catholic church! 

 

The Clinton's are ants by comparison.

 

If the Catholic church is backing one side not surprising the African Americans and Jews support the other. 

You probably didn't mean that in an anti-semitic way, but the days the Jews resenting Catholic persecution are mostly gone.  Whatever the faults of the Church might still be, it's done a very thorough job of ridding itself of anti-semitism. In an organization that comprises I think about 1.6 billion members, absolute extirpation is not possible. As for American Blacks being against the Catholic Church...huh?

[ALLSEEINGEYE]

5 hours ago, OMGImInPattaya said:

Interesting how these pastors and their churches maintain the tax-exempt status while engaging in political activities, which are prohibited by law for such organizations...another clear example of the Corrupt Hillary campaign operation and how the election is fixed.

Keep fear alive!!!

Hilarious how you say that but no comment when Trump tried to rally the same people.

All of the fact checking services show Trump lying at about 71% of the time, how can you follow a con man like that?

Open your eyes, look at ALL of the facts!!! Then make a decision from there.

I am not American so maybe it's easier for me to do but you have more at stake so stop taking the easy ignorant way out and look at the facts!!!

[ilostmypassword]

5 hours ago, OMGImInPattaya said:

Interesting how these pastors and their churches maintain the tax-exempt status while engaging in political activities, which are prohibited by law for such organizations...another clear example of the Corrupt Hillary campaign operation and how the election is fixed.

No, as long as they don't make partisan appeals, their activity isn't barred by law.  And I haven't seen any evidence that they have done so. Of course, I don't frequent Macedonian websites. 

https://www.buzzfeed.com/craigsilverman/how-macedonia-became-a-global-hub-for-pro-trump-misinfo?utm_term=.rfaKOKW5e#.bv8PoPDWY

http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/news/a50320/trump-misinformation-facebook-macedonia/

http://www.rferl.org/a/macedonia-trump-election-websites/28097576.html

[Jingthing]

59 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Be fair, you can't get more corrupt than the Catholic church! 

 

The Clinton's are ants by comparison.

 

If the Catholic church is backing one side not surprising the African Americans and Jews support the other. 

Not sure you're right about which side the Catholic church is picking ...

Quote

 

It Sure Sounds Like Pope Francis Doesn’t Think Americans Should Vote for Trump

 

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2016/11/06/pope_francis_speaks_up_against_walls_days_before_the_election.html

 

[OMGImInPattaya]

4 minutes ago, ALLSEEINGEYE said:

Keep fear alive!!!

Hilarious how you say that but no comment when Trump tried to rally the same people.

All of the fact checking services show Trump lying at about 71% of the time, how can you follow a con man like that?

Open your eyes, look at ALL of the facts!!! Then make a decision from there.

I am not American so maybe it's easier for me to do but you have more at stake so stop taking the easy ignorant way out and look at the facts!!!

Try to follow the ball...I know it's difficult for you...Trump or Hillary can certainly try to "rally" and appeal for the votes of religious people. The problem comes when leaders of religious organizations, which receive special tax privileges in exchange for being non-political, like pastors, priests, rabbis, or imams, extort their followers to vote for a particular party or candidate while acting in their capacity as said religious leader or using the facilities and personnel of such organizations to assist particular political candidates or parties.

[OMGImInPattaya]

7 minutes ago, ilostmypassword said:

No, as long as they don't make partisan appeals, their activity isn't barred by law.  And I haven't seen any evidence that they have done so. Of course, I don't frequent Macedonian websites. 

https://www.buzzfeed.com/craigsilverman/how-macedonia-became-a-global-hub-for-pro-trump-misinfo?utm_term=.rfaKOKW5e#.bv8PoPDWY

http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/news/a50320/trump-misinformation-facebook-macedonia/

http://www.rferl.org/a/macedonia-trump-election-websites/28097576.html

Maybe you should...might learn something.

[elgordo38]

5 hours ago, attrayant said:

You mean like this?

 

‘Mortal sin’ to vote Democratic, says San Diego Catholic church flier, linking Hillary Clinton to Satan

 

Is this also a clear example of the Clinton campaign fixing the election?

You can bet the Republican hordes will be waiting for you. Republican have already tried to make changes to the voting act with strict legal I.D. full well knowing that blacks have some problems in this area. Republican governors have successfully shut down a number of polling booths in predominately black areas and the judges have just squashed requests for Republican minutemen to harass voters after voting with questions of whom did you vote for and why. The war for your vote has just taken on new meaning. After Tuesday they don't want to know you or care about you. 

[ilostmypassword]

12 minutes ago, OMGImInPattaya said:

Maybe you should...might learn something.

Clearly you haven't read the articles. These people lie on purpose to attract Trump supporters.  They tried it on Sanders and Clinton supporters but apparently falsehoods don't have as much appeal to them.

[simple1]

1 hour ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Be fair, you can't get more corrupt than the Catholic church! 

 

The Clinton's are ants by comparison.

 

If the Catholic church is backing one side not surprising the African Americans and Jews support the other. 

 

From a TV news report I watched this AM,Trump supporters have tweeted an  estimated 2 million anti Semitic messages against assumed Jewish Democrat supporters since Trump was nominated. Some of the examples shown were truly nasty neo Nazi messaging.

[elgordo38]

3 minutes ago, ilostmypassword said:

Clearly you haven't read the articles. These people lie on purpose to attract Trump supporters.  They tried it on Sanders and Clinton supporters but apparently falsehoods don't have as much appeal to them.

Forget trying to appeal to his knowledge he is a graduate of Trump University 

[KarenBravo]

5 minutes ago, little mary sunshine said:

Ever heard of  "Seperation of Church and State!!    Paid for

by The Clinton Foundation, no doubt!.,

 

Of course, you haven't mention Moral Majority, or, any other Republican Christian movement?

[ALLSEEINGEYE]

3 hours ago, OMGImInPattaya said:

Try to follow the ball...I know it's difficult for you...Trump or Hillary can certainly try to "rally" and appeal for the votes of religious people. The problem comes when leaders of religious organizations, which receive special tax privileges in exchange for being non-political, like pastors, priests, rabbis, or imams, extort their followers to vote for a particular party or candidate while acting in their capacity as said religious leader or using the facilities and personnel of such organizations to assist particular political candidates or parties.

i doubt you would have sour grapes if they were supporting your con man.

[Skeptic7]

12 hours ago, OMGImInPattaya said:

Interesting how these pastors and their churches maintain the tax-exempt status while engaging in political activities, which are prohibited by law for such organizations...another clear example of the Corrupt Hillary campaign operation and how the election is fixed.

But The Bible is "Chump's" favorite book! 

[OMGImInPattaya]

5 minutes ago, Skeptic7 said:

But The Bible is "Chump's" favorite book! 

Non sequitur of the day award  

[NovaBlue05]

The people in their congregation probably already vote at a rate higher than their overall demographic.

[Grubster]

This bunch of Idiots shoot their mouths off constantly and then drive their fancy cars far away from the people they claim to help.

[ilostmypassword]

1 minute ago, Grubster said:

This bunch of Idiots shoot their mouths off constantly and then drive their fancy cars far away from the people they claim to help.

Nice comment. No way to fact check something so devoid of real content.

[Grubster]

1 minute ago, ilostmypassword said:

Nice comment. No way to fact check something so devoid of real content.

Thanks

[Scott]

Off-topic posts and replies removed.