Ahead of the third Democratic presidential primary debate on Thursday, September 12, we want to highlight our statement in response to the first debate.
Washington, DC — As the nation moves towards Election Day 2020, attention and urgency around issues and policies that will impact Black Voters and the Black community, in general, will intensify. The combination of poor legislation on such issues as Criminal Justice Reform, Police Brutality, Voting Rights & Suppression, along with continued efforts to block access to the ballot box, demonstrates the battlefield for democracy is an expanding one and will require a full understanding of how these Presidential Candidates’ agenda and focus will impact us and our communities.
After viewing two nights of the DNC Debates with 20 candidates, we are becoming more aware of where the candidates currently stand on some issues, and more aware of which issues need more attention to move our communities and country forward.
“Regrettably, what we saw in the debates over the past few nights, falls in-line with the low value and limited attention the Black voter historically receives in elections.” Director of Strategic Partnerships, Kailee Scales said. “We saw candidates barely scratched the surface on the issues and policies that are systematically affecting the lives of Black people in the United States.”
“Traditionally, Black folks are the Democratic party’s most loyal constituency. Since 1964, no Democratic presidential candidate has captured less than 80% of our vote.” Co-Founder Patrisse Cullors said. “We recognize our power. We demand that our vote is earned and the issues that matter most to our communities are addressed in this presidential election.”
The past two nights were the first of many debates to come before the 2020 Presidential Elections. Black Lives Matter is committed to listening and learning more about each of the candidates and where they stand on issues and policies that matter to us. We are equally committed to holding each of the candidates accountable for the issues that matter most in 2020.
About Black Lives Matter Foundation, Inc.
Founded in 2013 by Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza, and Opal Tometi in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer, Black Lives Matter Foundation, Inc. is a chapter-based, member-led organization in the US, UK, and Canada, whose mission is to build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes. We support the lives of the Black queer and transgender communities, the disabled, the undocumented, those with records, women, and all Black lives along the gender spectrum. By combating and countering acts of violence, creating space for Black imagination and innovation, and centering Black joy, we are winning immediate improvements in our lives.
For press inquiries, please contact Jordan Jackson, [email protected].