The Hip Hop Research and Education Fund, PowerPAC, and the National Hip Hop Summit Action Network will launch a nationwide campaign to mobilize the Hip Hop generations voting bloc this week, according to statements from the groups.
“Hip Hop Team Vote: Turn Up the Vote” will kick off Wednesday, March 19 in Philadelphia at 11 am. EST on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania.
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The press conference and launch of the campaign will coincide with voter registration efforts in Pennsylvania from March 18-24 (the last day to register before the critical Pennsylvania primary).
“Turn Up the Vote” is aimed at millions of 18-35-year-old voters.
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HSAN’s former chairman, Russell Simmons, wants to end any doubts about the participation of young voters in the electoral process.
“We decided to draw the line, especially in Pennsylvania, to settle once and for all any question about the sustainability of the impact of the youth vote transforming the American political landscape,” he said. “While there’s been much speculation, and in some instances outright denial, of the impact of the youth vote, we know the power and self expression of young people is growing. We want to celebrate that growth and encourage an even greater youth voter turnout.”
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Dr. Benjamin Chavis believes that 18-29-year-old voters—who according to a report by Civicyouth.org make up a third of voters—will choose the next President of the United States.
“The truth is, four years ago in the last national election, we witnessed the largest youth voter turnout in American history. We know, beyond the shadow of any doubt, the evolution of hip-hop culture helped to create that reality. We are already witnessing now in 2008 how young voters are building and expanding on the foundation laid four years ago. Civic engagement is a part of what it means to be a responsible citizen. And, in defiance of some of the myths about the responsibility of the hip-hop generation, it is in fact a significant testimony that the youth of today are not only rising to the occasion of responsibility, they are taking charge and will make the biggest difference in the outcome of the 2008 presidential election.”
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For PowerPAC founder and chairman Steve Phillips, the campaign represents a new day in American politics. “Our goal is to build a new base of political activism. This work is not about electing any particular candidate; it is about bringing people into the process.”
All three organizations are not for profit, and laws bar them from endorsing a particular candidate. Russell Simmons—who recently endorsed Sen. Barack Obama for president—took a leave of absence from HSAN until the end of the 2008 campaign.
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Stay tuned to DX for more developments on the upcoming election.
