In honor of one year since the Women’s March that swept through Washington D.C. after Donald Trump’s inauguration, the Georgia Alliance for Social Justice hosts Power to the Polls to encourage voters for the upcoming Midterm election.
Atlanta was among several locations across the United States where demonstrators mobilized to inspire and elect progressive candidates. Speakers from actress Alyssa Milano to Democratic candidate for governor, Stacey Abrams attended in solidarity with the movement.
Tamika Mallory and Linda Sarsour, both co-founders of the Women’s March, attended with a message for November’s election.
“This is not about having rallies that have the most people. This is about having the most votes in the midterm elections,” Mallory said.
Royce Mann, a sophomore in high school, delivered a poem encouraging young voices to be active in social issues. Mann
“I’m definitely excited to hopefully inspire people my age who maybe feel that they sort of have to wait to get out there and talk about their own opinions and speak up. And show them that people my age aren’t just the leaders of tomorrow, but that they can also be the leaders of today,” Mann said.
The #MeToo movement began for those who have survived sexual violence. Several stations such as a #MeToo banner were set up to encourage people to speak out against sexual misconduct. Kelly Hartley, a volunteer, helped supervise the banner.
“This is an opportunity for those of us to share those experiences or even just sign our banner in solidarity knowing that we’re not alone. This has happened to others, but also that we’re not going to stand for it anymore,” Hartley said.
The rally also held a Social Justice City where organizations like Planned Parenthood Southeast we’re able to offer any information. Porsha White, a representative, says the organization is continuing to provide resources.
“Planned Parenthood has been attacked every single day for this entire administration. And we are determined to keep fighting,” White said. “We’ve been here for over 100 years, and we’re happy to be amongst like-minded people who want to make sure everybody has access to healthcare and is able to determine their future for themselves.”
Mothers such as Nancy Harter brought their daughters in hopes to inspire.
“I didn’t want my kids to ask me one day, what did I do when all of this injustice is going on. I want to know that they were with me and that we stood up and we did what we could, and we’re not going to give up,” Harter said.
The event even drew in the former Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff to talk about the importance of showing up to the polls.
“For young people, it’s our future. And the decisions that the folks in power are making are going to impact us more than they impact anybody so if we don’t stand up and make our voices heard and make sure we are influencing policy and politicians and getting involved in elections then we’re going to lose control of our own future,” Ossoff said.
The event closed with a phone call by civil rights icon John Lewis who left the crowd clamoring for more.
“So I close by saying ‘go in peace.’ Register hundreds and thousands of voters all across the state of Georgia and all across our nation and elect a new breed of elected officials,” Lewis said.
The Georgia Alliance for Social Justice asks that citizens remain active for the Midterm elections.
Note: This story was written for PRN, the student-led news station at Georgia State University.
