We Won't Black Down

The fight for fair maps in Florida continues… [Black Voters Matter logo]( Friend, The fight for fair maps in Florida continues… Our voting rights are at stake right now in Florida. Gov. DeSantis and the Florida legislature are attempting to push forward unconstitutional redistricting maps. The new districts drawn in these maps would significantly suppress the power of the Black vote.  This is why right now we are on the road with our partners for the “We Draw the Lines” Tour as part of our fall GOTV bus tour. Over the last few weeks, we have been on the ground across the state of Florida, educating, mobilizing and galvanizing Black voters in multiple counties. From HBCUs to community events and more, we are working to ensure that Florida’s Black residents are represented and that state lawmakers are responsive to the needs of our communities.  This week, we visited HBCUs such as Florida A&M University and Bethune Cookman University to connect with student voters on the redistricting crisis happening in their state and getting them registered to vote! Check out some highlights below. Over the next few weeks, we will be making two final stops on our tour! We encourage you to come out and join us in Tampa, FL (Congressional District 14) today and in Jacksonville, FL (Congressional Districts 4 & 5) on October 6th. [JOIN US](   Engaging HBCU students with GA partners Over the next week and a half, we are partnering with RepGA, Georgia STAND-Up, and the NAACP for the Black Youth Renaissance Bus Tour, as part of our fall GOTV efforts. We will be traveling to seven different HBCU campuses across the state of Georgia to educate students on the importance of voting and this upcoming election.  Join us at one of the upcoming stops near you! - Friday September 16th: Albany State University— 12-5 PM - Saturday September 17th: Fort Valley State University—10 AM-2 PM - Sunday September 18th: Americus GA—10 AM-1 PM & Cordele GA—2-5 PM - Monday September 19th: Savannah State University—10 AM-2 PM & Griffin/Barnesville—5-7PM - Tuesday September 20th: Trees Atlanta—10 AM-3 PM   We Won’t Black Down Bus Tour The Blackest Buses in America are coming to a city near you! Coinciding with National Black Voters Day on September 16, our fall GOTV campaign and bus tour - We Won’t Black Down – launched this week and we’ll be visiting several key states this fall in the lead up to the election on November 8. Our bus tour is designed to raise awareness on issues impacting local Black communities, engage in on the ground GOTV mobilization efforts, particularly around local and state elections, and build community power through the celebration of Black love and joy. The tour will also include activities that incorporate BVM’s programming and partnership network.  This week we are in Florida, as part of the We Draw the Lines redistricting coalition tour. Next week, we’re in Georgia. Our full tour schedule is available online and will be updated as new stops are confirmed. [JOIN US](   Expanding our partnership with the AME Church This Monday, we announced the expansion of our partnership with the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) which includes an investment of $600K in grants to be dispersed in nine Episcopal Districts across 13 states to support church-led GOTV efforts throughout the South. Participating AME churches will use the grant to activate community outreach to friends and family of church members, conduct street canvassing, literature drops, polling place parties and rides to the polls. Of the allotted funds for the expansion, $150K will support a special project in Georgia, for the work of the 6th Episcopal District. [LEARN MORE](   #FreeBrittanyMartin Now A few months ago, local South Carolina activist Brittany Martin was arrested and sentenced to four years in prison. Her crime? Yelling at a police officer during a small protest following the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery during the summer of 2020.  While Martin was acquitted on the charge of participating in a riot, she was found guilty of breach of peace. Martin is currently jailed in South Carolina and is pregnant.  Since her incarceration, Martin has lost 12lbs in prison and was hospitalized twice for pregnancy complications. A judge is set to hear arguments for reducing Brittany Martin’s sentence this week.  Help us #FreeBrittanyMartin by adding your name to a petition demanding action for her release now.  [ADD YOUR NAME](   Support the voting rights movement The Blackest Bus in America is back on the road to get Black voters to the polls this election season. We Won’t Black Down until every voice is heard and every vote is counted.  [Donate now to fuel the bus and the movement!]( [DONATE NOW]( JOIN THE MOVEMENT [Support voter engagement and capacity-building through our 501c3]( [Support voter mobilization and political advocacy through our 501c4]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Tumblr]( [Black Voters Matter logo]( Black Voters Matter Fund is dedicated to expanding Black voter engagement and increasing progressive power through movement-building and engagement. Working with grassroots organizations, specifically in key states in the South, BVMF seeks to increase voter registration and turnout, advocate for policies to expand voting rights/access, and help develop infrastructure where little or none exists to support a power-building movement that keeps Black voters and their issues at the forefront of our election process. For more information, please visit our [website](. Sent via [ActionNetwork.org](. To update your email address, change your name or address, or to stop receiving emails from Black Voters Matter Fund, please [click here](.