Black voter suppression, 2000 and 2004 - coming again Nov. 7

Colorofchange.org has sent me notice of a forthcoming film, "American Blackout," which documents GOP intimidation and suppression of the black vote in 2000 and 2004.  Have no doubt that the same tricks are slated for this year's elections.  The only way to fight it is  by informing the general public - that means alerting us and our friends so the straight media can pick it up. .  .see the trailer here. PR info below the fold. .

 

An award-winning exposé that chronicles systemic attempts to undermine the Black vote from 2000 to 2004.

Dear ColorOfChange.org member in the San Francisco Bay Area,
We've told you about continued attempts to suppress the Black vote across the country and given you ways to take action. Now we want to let you know about a powerful film that brings the issue of voter suppression to the big screen -- "American Blackout," by GNN's acclaimed director Ian Inaba.

The film premieres this Friday in San Francisco at Landmark Opera Plaza Cinemas and will run through Thursday of next week.

For showtimes, check the theatre website, here:

http://landmarktheatres.com/...

"American Blackout" is a jarring yet entertaining film that paints a comprehensive picture of voter suppression in 2000 and 2004. It has already won numerous awards, including the prestigious Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. The film features never before seen footage that captures the tactics used to suppress the Black vote, testimonials from members of Congress, stories from Black voters denied the right to vote, and even those involved in perpetrating suppression.

In screenings across the country--from the rural Midwest to urban centers--"American Blackout" has galvanized audiences that care about the health of this country's democracy.

"American Blackout" is an important tool for educating ourselves and others, and ultimately for saving our democracy. Not only does it lay bare the problems of our democracy--it also helps us understand what it will take to fight back, and inspires action.

We believe this film has the potential to start a national dialogue and expose how partisan interests systemically push eligible voters out of the political process. It could help everyone to come to terms with the systemic disenfranchisement that has plagued democracy in this country.

Please join us in watching this important film.

For more info or to see the trailer, visit the American Blackout website at:

http://www.americanblackout.com

•  If Democrats were wise,

  they would act proactively to determine whether adequate numbers of "working" voting machines were allocated approopriately, and demand publication of rules for registration and precincts assigned. If my memory serves me correctly, both of those issues suppressed voting in Ohio last time around.

  by shergald on Mon Sep 11, 2006 at 04:33:36 PM PDT

•  Thanks for the link...

  I'll check it out.

  The word is that the RNC is going to spend $30 million on GOTV operations...

  I wonder what we'll spend...

  frankly, if we could spend half that but spend it WELL...I think we'll be okay. Just okay though.

  We need infrastructure SO badly.

  by Elise on Mon Sep 11, 2006 at 04:40:47 PM PDT

•  democrats needs to do something

  Ive heard about black voters suppression for a whyle and would like to know how it occurs.

  The democrats needs to do something about this and they arent doing anything to stop it if it does occurs.

  by Maria19Rodriguez on Mon Sep 11, 2006 at 05:39:59 PM PDT

  •  some answers

    How does it occur?  In a lot of little ways.  Here are some examples:  

    1. People pretending they are part of a voter registration drive.  They have folks fill out the forms and then they throw them away.  The folks think they are registered and only find out they are not when they go to vote -- and then it's too late.

    2. People sending out flyers or making phone calls, lying and saying that they're from the board of elections, and giving incorrect information about when and where to vote.

    3. People putting out the word that if you have unpaid parking tickets or overdue bills you won't be able to vote and you might get some more trouble if you show up at the polls.

    4. Polling places in heavily Democratic districts not having enough equipment (resulting in long lines) or having old machines that are more likely to spoil ballots.

    5. Challengers who ask people to show ID and generally try to make voting an unpleasant experience.

    6. Bad poll workers who give incorrect instructions to voters, spoil or alter ballots, or monkey with the machines that count the ballots.

    Democrats DO try to stop this.  But you need lots of volunteers who are willing to go through training and then put in long hours, or you need money to pay people to do the work.  Even then it's hard to catch the stuff that's done by sneaky people.  It's also hard to reform a process that is controlled at the county level.  One reason why it's hard to make sure every polling place has enough equipment and good equipment is that this has to be paid for out of county funds.  Some counties are poor.

    The best way to stop this is for citizens to get more involved in their own counties.  We need to have honest people sign up to be poll workers.  We also need people to volunteer to help other folks to the polls, and to help make sure they are not misled or scared out of exercising their right to vote.

    by homeland observer on Mon Sep 11, 2006 at 06:51:18 PM PDT