Hip Hop Turns Up The Vote
On Sunday, April 20th, Russell Simmons, T.I., Styles P., Dr. Benjamin Chavis, the Hip Hop Summit Action Network, the Hip Hop Research and Education Fund, and a slew of others came together for the National Hip Hop Team Vote Summit in Philadelphia, PA. The event included a panel discussion, as well as concert aimed to energize youth and show them the importance of their vote. Philly’s vote is especially important today, as the Pennsylvania primary kicks off in what is a highly contested Democratic primary race between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.
Dr. Benjamin Chavis spoke about the importance of the youth vote via statement saying,
“The fact that over 70% of the 218,923 new voters that have registered since January 2008 across the state of Pennsylvania are between the ages of 18-35 years old clearly verifies the power of the young voter who will participate in tomorrow’s Pennsylvania primary and determine its outcome. Based on our on the ground feedback in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Erie, Chester and throughout the great metropolitan area of Philadelphia, we are certain that, beginning early tomorrow morning, we are all going to witness the largest youth voter turnout in the history of the state. This will happen, to a large extent, because of the enthusiasm and vitality of the hip-hop generation who view the Pennsylvania presidential primary as a once in a life time opportunity to show that young people throughout Pennsylvania do care about the quality of life issues addressed in the campaign. And, more important, hip-hop voters want to make a difference and want to help shape the future of what political change looks like from the perspective of young voters.”
Ruby Hornet was on the scene at the National Hip Hop Team Vote Summit, check back later this week for our exclusive coverage…
