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Voting Rights Rally Led By Rev. Al Sharpton Draws Hundreds To Capitol Lawn

Rev. Al Sharpton leads a rally in support of restoring felons' voting rights outside of Florida's Capitol on April 26, 2018.
Ryan Dailey
/
WFSUNews
Rev. Al Sharpton leads a rally in support of restoring felons' voting rights outside of Florida's Capitol on April 26, 2018.
Rev. Al Sharpton leads a rally in support of restoring felons' voting rights outside of Florida's Capitol on April 26, 2018.
Credit Ryan Dailey / WFSUNews
/
WFSUNews
Rev. Al Sharpton leads a rally in support of restoring felons' voting rights outside of Florida's Capitol on April 26, 2018.

As an appellate court reviews an appeal by Governor Rick Scott and his cabinet in the battle for a new rights restoration scheme for felons, protesters rallied at the Capitol Thursday. Civil rights leaders urged support for a citizens’ initiative amendment on the ballot in November.

The Rev. Al Sharpton, flanked by civil rights attorney Ben Crump and local government and faith leaders, got a crowd of hundreds fired up to vote on Amendment Four in November. The rally came less than 24 hours after a federal appeals court granted the state’s Clemency Board a stay on a lower court’s injunction declaring its restoration system unconstitutional. 

Sharpton echoed Florida’s gubernatorial candidates in saying the move is an attempt at voter suppression by Gov. Scott, who announced a U.S. senate run this month.

Hundreds gathered for a voting rights rally at Florida's Capitol April 26, 2018
Hundreds gathered for a voting rights rally at Florida's Capitol April 26, 2018

“Y’all got all these elections going around in Florida, telling me the governor wants to be a senator and all that,” Sharpton said. “Why are you afraid, Governor Scott, of more folk being allowed to vote?”

Tallahassee mayor and gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum also threw his support behind the amendment.

“We have a chance, November, 6, to restore that right, that opportunity and dignity for all Floridians,” Gillum said.

Nearly 1.5 million people in Florida are considered disenfranchised, having lost their rights after serving time for a felony conviction.

Copyright 2020 WFSU. To see more, visit WFSU.

Ryan Dailey is a reporter for News Service of Florida. He previously was a reporter/producer for WFSU/Florida Public Radio.
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