Already, Jennifer Hudson lent her voice to sing the national anthem for the Democratic National Convention and will.i.am and John Legend created a 'Yes We Can' song and video in honor of Barack Obama.
Now, some of the biggest names in the music and movie world, including Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, Diddy, Jamie Foxx, Halle Berry , Usher and Forest Whitaker are using their celebrity to try to get young people to register to vote in the Presidential general election.
The deadline for many states, including the battleground states of Michigan, Ohio and Florida , is 30 days before the election, which is this Monday, October 6..
Yesterday, Diddy, Mary J. Blige, Jay-Z and Warner Music Group exec Kevin Liles released a joint statement urging people to register to vote at VoteForChange.com. The statement began: 'We are in a state of emergency!!! You must register to vote by Monday, October 6, 2008,'and continued, 'we are at war, banks are closing people are losing their jobs and houses everyday. It is our responsibility to protect our futures.' The group threw their support towards the Democratic nominee, adding, 'Barack Obama cannot win this election on his own; he needs our help.'Taking his commitment to voter registration one step further, Jay-Z added a second free 'Last Chance for Change' concert and voter registration rally at the Bayfront Park Amphitheatre in Miami . And, Wyclef Jean was scheduled to join the New York MC on Sunday's show to rally the vote for Senator Obama and get Florida residents to register before the Monday deadline. Tickets for that show reportedly sold out in just a few hours.
A PSA has also hit the Web and television which features a who's who of Hollywood's brightest, like Halle Berry , Leonardo DiCaprio, Dustin Hoffman, Eva Longaria, Jennifer Aniston, Ashton Kutcher, Jamie Foxx, Forest Whitaker, among others. In the clip that pans from star-to-star, sponsored by DeclareYourself.com, they ask young people to register to vote and send the clip to five friends in an effort to get the word out about voting.
Voter registration deadlines for every state can be found at DeclareYourself.com.
Comments: (9)
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By: Cecil Jones on 10/05/2008 11:15AM
How about a little love for the people who did the "Dirty Work?" How about Hollywood telling the story and allowing a Brother to make a buck from the vision and foresight? By the grace of God, one person can make a difference. We can if we give the glory to God. It's not about Obama.
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By: Shauna on 10/05/2008 10:18AM
Too bad most of these people didn't vote in the last two elections. We wouldn't BE in the spot we are NOW if they had gotten off their asses to vote THEN! Thanks a LOT!
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By: Willie Williams Jr on 10/05/2008 8:27PM
Vote.
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By: Willie Williams Jr on 10/15/2008 1:16PM
Vote.
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By: Juanita on 10/07/2008 1:01PM
EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW BY NOW TO VOTE. WE ALL NEED TO VOTE. YOU DON'T WANT ANOTHER BUSH IN OFFICE DO YOU?
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By: "Harry O"... on 10/07/2008 5:11PM
"Obama 2008"...
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By: Voter on 10/07/2008 10:51PM
All I have to say if you are not register and do not vote, you got what you deserved.
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By: IMHO on 10/07/2008 11:45PM
Cecil # 2---what people are you referring to that did all the 'Dirty Work"? What 'Dirty Work' did these people do and when did they do it? And, what does that have to do with registering to vote? And, what's this about Hollywood allowing a Brother to make a buck from the vision and foresight? What vision and foresight??? I'm confused by your post. I thought the article was about getting people out to register to vote before the voter registration deadline, and the efforts certain celebrities were making to insure that this occurred. I don't see where your post makes any revelent statement or contribution pertaining to the topic at hand.
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By: Ruben Lee Sims on 7/13/2009 11:39AM
Everybody knows about the voting problems black experience during elections within the state of Florida. What they may not know is that there is legacy of black voting problems since the emancipation proclamation. The problems blacks experience today are merely a continuation of that legacy. However, a recent study found indications of a horrifying and deadly legacy in the city of Orlando, Florida that may just be the tip of the iceberg of crimes against humanity.
A horrifying legacy of the black vote in the state of Florida goes back farther and deeper and contains more horrendous acts than many Americans would ever image. I recently completed a study that indicates that city officials in Orlando, Florida may have crossed the line and went to great extremes to control the black population and the black vote. I have documented historical evidence that Orlando may have used murder, massacre, and genocide to control the black vote since the early 1920s. If this is true it could be devastating to the reputation and legacies of many current and historical public officials and the city of Orlando could be held responsible both criminally and civilly.
I am currently in communications with Governor Crist, calling for a criminal investigation of Orlando, Florida for crimes against humanity. Governor Crist has appointed a staff member to work with me and do all he can to help on this matter. What that really means I am not sure. However, my only concern is that I have worked independently on this study and there are great risks to me personally by disclosing the facts. So, I am concerned that they may not want the world to know the truth and I may be eliminated and the truth will be lost forever. That is why I post this comment here. So, that your readers will know that I have credible evidence of murder, massacre, and genocide within the city of Orlando and I am calling for a criminal investigation by the state of Florida. If I should fall in the process, I hope someone else will pick up the banner of truth and move forward to find justice for the victims of the Parramore District in Orlando, Florida a historical black community in Orlando.
Also, I have prepared an executive summary report on the findings of my study. I am currently sharing that summary with influential people who may have the interest and abiltity to gain media attention and publicize my work as a source of security and protection for my work. That summary is available by email to rubenleesims@yahoo.com.
Further, it is clear that Orlando city officials communicated and consulted with other cities regarding some of it decisions. Therefore, Orlando may just be one of a number of cities to cross the line to commit crimes against humanity. I truly hope you will hear the truth someday. Therefore, I am calling on all Americans to join me in calling for a criminal investigation of Orlando, Florida to either prove or disprove my allegations. If they can disprove the allegations I will gladly go back to my chosen and preferred private lifestyle.
Ruben Lee Sims
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