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Potsdam BLM planning Nov. 2 march, Nov. 3 'poll stroll' to help people get to polling places

Posted 10/26/20

POTSDAM -- The Potsdam-based chapter of Black Lives Matter is organizing a get out the vote march and a “poll stroll” to get out the vote in opposition of Republican President Donald Trump. The …

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Potsdam BLM planning Nov. 2 march, Nov. 3 'poll stroll' to help people get to polling places

Posted

POTSDAM -- The Potsdam-based chapter of Black Lives Matter is organizing a get out the vote march and a “poll stroll” to get out the vote in opposition of Republican President Donald Trump.

The Get Out and Vote March is set for Monday, Nov. 2 starting at 6 p.m. from the Potsdam Post Office, 21 Elm St. The public is invited to attend and dress warm, bring signs, fully-charged cell phones, and voices for the approximately 2-mile march. The organization will pass out glow-in the dark necklaces, wands, and glowsticks, while supplies last to ensure participants can be visible as they march.

The group plans to march up Elm Street to Leroy Street (the Potsdam Presbyterian Church is on the corner); up Leroy Street to Cottage Street (at the stop sign intersection of Potsdam High School and Canton Potsdam Hospital) and down Cottage Street to Market Street. The procession will then turn left on Market Street continuing back to the post office. Marchers are asked to remember to wear masks, practice social distancing and remain peaceful.

The group plans a “poll stroll” on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3 during voting hours from 6 a.m.-9 p.m. BLM Potsdam will accompany any voter to the polls or provide transportation to voters who need rides to the polls.

Those wanting an escort are asked to contact BLM on its social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) or email blm.noco@gmail.com. Voters who want to cast their ballots later in the day can meet the organization at the Potsdam Post Office, 21 Elm St., at 6 p.m. to peacefully and quietly escort people to the two main voting locations – the Town of Potsdam Offices, 18 Elm Street, and Potsdam High School, 29 Leroy Street.

The organization will escort people to their appropriate polling site and wait until they have completed voting to escort them back to the post office. Those participating are asked to not bring political signs to the event, which BLM representatives say is not a march or a protest.

"Voting is one of our most fundamental rights available to any American. Our voting rights are increasingly under attack, especially for African Americans, who historically have had to overcome voting obstacles by the various political parties," BLM Potsdam said. "Black Lives Matter Potsdam is mobilizing people to make their voices heard by casting their ballots for all political races in the 2020 election from the Presidential race to the local municipality races. It is important to remember that local elections can impact citizen’s lives even more than the Presidential election. BLM Potsdam leadership wants to highlight the importance of voting President Donald Trump out of office. In Trump’s presidency America has experienced an increase in white supremacist groups, hate crimes, and vile comments made to people of color."