Month: December 2017

Our democracy and communities were under attack in 2017, but you fought back with us…

Our justice, health, education, civil and human rights, environment, security, economic opportunity, and moral compass were all dramatically undercut and damaged by our elected leaders in 2017.

The inequality gap also continued to widen. Those at the top continue to flourish and build their fortunes, like an heir who just became $75 billion dollar richer from the tax bill that Congress just passed. While families without financial means and opportunities continue to be looked-over and marginalized, like the 13 year-old boy who collected cans to buy his mom a Christmas gift.

In 2017 Hip Hop Caucus was at the frontlines of the Resistance, fighting for a better future for all.

• Our advocacy put us front and center within the Resistance Movement — from the Women’s March and Standing Rock #NoDAPL protests in January, and Science March and People’s Climate March in April, to marching against hatred in Charlottesville and honoring the 12th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, to protests against the Administration’s dangerous budget cuts, voter suppression commission, cruel immigration policies, inadequate disaster recovery efforts, and harsh tax plan — we were at the frontlines. We also helped launch a pan-African movement in Dakar, Senegal.

• Our expertise helped shape new legislation on Capitol Hill and in state-houses on behalf of our most vulnerable communities, like the 2017 Environmental Justice Act, and helping ban fracking in the State of Maryland.

• Our leadership created powerful moments, including fighting back against attacks on our voting rights during the Respect My Vote! Rally in front of the White House in July, and encouraging young people and ex-offenders to participate in our democracy during the Virginia elections.

• Our collaboration with artists like Antonique Smith, Jeremih, TABOO from the Black Eyed Peas, No Malice from The Clipse, Vic Mensa, and Entourage’s Adrian Grenier, have brought attention to vital issues and inspired people to act.

Hip Hop Caucus is optimistic for the future, but we know real change never comes easy. It is going to take our collective action, recognition of our power, and perseverance to make the difference.

Let’s hit back even harder in 2018 — donate to our movement now!

Your donation brings us one step closer to building a national platform for hip hop that educates, engages, and mobilizes under-served communities in the civic, social, and political processes. Help us influence a nation shaped by the voice and support of constituents and donors like you.

Thank you for staying involved on behalf of our communities and culture. All power to the people!

Hundreds of people gathered for our #RespectMyVote Rally in front of the White House the morning of July 19th to protest Trump’s “Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity. The conversation also grew online, as #RespectMyVote rocketed to the #3 trending topic in America on Twitter, and stayed trending all day long. In addition, over a half million people signed petitions pushing back on Trump’s plan to suppress voters, and those petitions were at the rally in front of the White House for delivery.

The commission, more appropriately known as Trump’s “Voter Suppression Commission”, is nothing more than a sham — as noted by the Washington Post — created in response to the blatant false claim of voter fraud in America.

Ever since losing the popular vote by almost three million votes in the 2016 election versus Hilary Clinton, President Trump has been obsessed with proving that there was wide-spread voter fraud. Earlier this year he claimed, without one shred of evidence, that 3–5 million Americans voted illegally during the election.

Now he is out to prove this false claim and is using the power of the Presidency (and your tax money) to set up a which-hunt team full of voter-suppressor all-stars. Each of member of the commission has a long track record of suppressing the vote and blatant attacks on the Voter Rights Act.

Instead of focusing on solutions to ensure more people are able to vote, such as modernizing voter registration, this commission is going to embark on a which-hunt in order to prove a false claim and set up the justification for actions that will make it harder for Americans to vote. They have long decided that those who are the most vulnerable in our country — young people, seniors, people of color — need to have more between them and the ballot box.

Voting is the fundamental right of our democracy. It is a cherished right that our soldiers die for. The United States should be a beacon for democracy throughout the world and lead by example. This new commission completely goes in the the opposite direction.

However, we have seen all of this before. And just as Dr. King and so many others did throughout this country’s history, we are going to fight with everything we have to protect our voting rights. We will always be there to protect voting for all.

We had a very special guest join us for the rally — No Malice, from the legendary hip-hop duo Clipse. No Malice also wrote an article about why he was there. Check out “No Malice Writes Letter ‘Why I’m Rallying at the White House’”.

Here’s what the #RespectMyVote Rally and trend online looked like:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can help push back and demand that voting is made easier. It’s our American right! Click here to say #RespectMyVote!

Add your name here: actionnetwork.org/forms/respectmyvote-modernize-voting