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ATLANTA, Ga., Oct. 17, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — In a powerful show of civic engagement, state and local leaders converged upon the C.T. Martin Recreation Center polling location on Tuesday for a press conference in support of “Overload the Polls,” a statewide voter mobilization effort kicking off the first day of early voting. Spearheaded by Georgia Black Women’s Roundtable (BWR), Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda (People’s Agenda), RISE, Black Youth Vote, and other advocacy organizations, the initiative rolled out in 32 counties across the state, aiming to drive a surge in voter participation.

This widespread effort underscored the growing influence of women and young voters, and surely contributed to the historic turnout, with over 300,000 people casting their ballots on the first day of early voting-more than double the record set in 2020.

Helen Butler, executive director of People’s Agenda and convener of GA BWR, energized the crowd with her passionate call to action.

“We are here today to overload the polls. We’re here to make sure our voices are heard, Black women and women in general are the highest voting demographic in Georgia. Today, we have 32 counties of women participating in this event across Georgia, and we’re all overloading those polls,” Butler declared. “Our ‘Power of the Ballot’ bus will continue touring the state to encourage voter participation.”

Former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin emphasized the urgency of the moment.

“Now it’s time to do what we said we’re going to do. It’s time to show up, stand up, and to vote – and to get everyone else out to vote. We’re starting on day one and going to finish on Nov. 5. We’re not leaving any stone unturned,” Franklin said.

Atlanta City Councilwoman Andrea Boone encouraged community involvement saying, “We want our neighbors to pick up their neighbors, text their church members, and ask businesses if they’ve voted. Then, we’re going to party at the polls.”

Highlighting the stakes of the election, Congresswoman Nikema Williams exclaimed, “Our freedoms are on the ballot. Our future is on the ballot. Today we are gathered with 32 counties across the state to overload the polls because we understand that when we vote, we win,” said Williams. “That means winning for our future and winning for our freedom.”

State Rep. Inga Willis, representing the Divine Nine, reflected on the legacy of the civil rights movement. “I stand before you today as the daughter of a 97-year-old father who walked across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. I stand before you today as the fruit of an HBCU,” Willis said. “We are here to overload the polls, vote early, and ensure that everyone in our communities does the same.”

Warning voters about potential challenges on Election Day, State Rep Shelia Jones, representing DeIta Sigma Theta Inc, asserted, “I encourage all of you to early vote because we don’t know what is going to happen to our votes on Election Day.”

Civil rights activist and attorney, Rose Sanders, who traveled from Selma, Alabama to help mobilize voters, galvanized the crowd by leading the crowd in freedom songs. She was joined by Betty Boynton and other foot soldiers who marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge on Bloody Sunday, symbolizing the ongoing fight for voting rights.

The event concluded with a critical reminder from Butler about checking voter registration and knowing where to vote. “Check your status at MVP.sos.ga.gov, and if you need a ride to the polls, visit ridetothepoll.com or call 1-877-524-8683,” Butler urged.

The People’s Agenda (thepeoplesagenda.org) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to year-round voter registration, education, and mobilization in Black communities throughout Georgia. Founded by the late civil rights leader Dr. Joseph Lowery, the organization is led by board chair Rev. J. A. Milner and executive director, Helen Butler. It operates with headquarters in Atlanta and offices in Athens, Albany, Macon, Augusta, LaGrange, Rome and Savannah. The organization’s women’s initiative, Georgia Black Women’s Roundtable, is an affiliate of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation’s Black Women’s Roundtable.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL—- AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) mourns the death of lifelong AIDS activist Hydeia Broadbent who passed away in her sleep yesterday at the age of 39. Broadbent, who was HIV-positive since birth, first came to national prominence in 1996 when she appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and other national news and talk programs at the age of 11 to talk about her life living with AIDS.

Broadbent continued her fierce and outspoken advocacy throughout her youth and adulthood. Over the years, Broadbent partnered with AHF on several AIDS advocacy and awareness campaigns, including riding on AHF’s award-winning 2013 Tournament of Roses parade float titled “The Global Face of AIDS” on which she represented North American individuals living with AIDS. Broadbent also appeared in AHF’s “God Loves Me” billboard campaign, featuring people living with HIV and the simple but profound tag line.

• AHF’s Las Vegas Healthcare Centers Opening, 2013: Hydeia Broadbent attended the opening ceremony of AHF’s first Las Vegas Healthcare Centers. Being from the state of Nevada herself, Hydeia made a special appearance at the ribbon cutting.
• AHF’s “AIDS is a Civil Rights Issue” campaign, Los Angeles 2014: Hydeia Broadbent spoke at AHF’s third community forum in a nationwide series of “AIDS is a Public Health Issue” at the Holman United Methodist Church in Los Angeles.
• AHF’s “AIDS is a Civil Rights Issue” campaign, Selma 2015: During the 50th Anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery March, Hydeia Broadbent joined Rev. Al Sharpton, Cynthia Davis, and Gabriel Maldonado to speak on a panel at Selma University for “AIDS is a Civil Rights Issue: An Evening of Action.”

NATIONWIDE— Monica Nancy Candny, a 23-year-old woman from Ghana, has made history by graduating with top honors in Marine Engineering from the Regional Maritime University in Ghana. She celebrated her amazing achievement on her social media.

In a heartfelt post on her LinkedIn feed, Monica expressed her relief at successfully navigating the challenges of her academic journey and extended gratitude to everyone who played a role in her success.

“Congratulations to me! Finally, I am leaving Regional Maritime University. The battle was not easy at all, but with God, all things are possible. Today, I have graduated with first-class honors in BSc Marine Engineering. Thanks to God, my family, my LinkedIn friends, my mentors, and everyone who contributed to my success,” she wrote.

Monica, who pursued a male-dominated field, carried an inspiring message on her post, urging others not to shy away from ambitious dreams. She emphasized that setbacks are a natural part of the journey, but it is important to remain diligent in pursuing one’s passions.

“If you dream it, you can achieve it. If you have a passion for something, go and get it. Success is not final, and failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts,” she said.

A lot of people celebrated her success with her and wrote their congratulatory comments on her post.

“Heartfelt congratulations to you and your fellow graduates. Excellence is always a great thing to be sought-after. You attained it, very well done!” one comment said.

“Big Congratulations on this new achievement. More to come,” another wrote.