COUP WATCH: NAACP Hearings On Violations of Black & Hispanic Voting Rights

By Sue Walbridge



I watched some of the CSPAN broadcast of the 5-hour-long NAACP hearings being held in Florida , and, in my opinion, the Black and Hispanic absentee ballots will show up "too late" to be counted.

I was really angered and amazed at what was being brought to light at this hearing. I think "Brother Jeb Bush" must have did all his work BEFORE the election. It certainly seems that there was an organized effort to keep black folks from voting. This included telling them they were "not registared", to telling them they had "prison records".

It was also brought to light, by a policeman who gave testimony, that a locked ballot box, number 514, showed up at some Shearton Hotel. It was taken into custody by the police and is now locked up in the police evidence room. Why it was at the hotel is unclear.

Testimony was given by one lady who showed up at her poll to vote and was told she could not vote because she was not on the rolls. She had her registration card and proper I.D. however, she was told she would have to move to another line and wait until it could be resolved by phone to the election office. She stood in line with many others who were having the same problem only to be told that the polls were now closed and she could not vote. When she and the others asked to receive some sort of absentee ballot, or affidavid to allow them to vote later, they were told..."if your not on the rolls, you can't vote".

Others had requested absentee ballots and never received them, yet when they went to vote at their poll they were not allowed to because they had "been given" absentee ballots. Some gave testimony that they had registered on-line at Election.com. They received the paperwork in the mail that they have to sign, they returned it ON TIME, yet never received their registration cards. Many attempted to resolve the issue but never were able to get straight answers when they called. They attempted to try to vote anyway, ASSUMING that they were registared, but, were not allowed to vote.

There were many other incidents that were testified too from having polling places changed without any sort of notification, police intimidation, and attempts to block get out the vote efforts. So, in lieu of all of this, I would imagine that any Black or Hispanic absentee ballots will be "lost in the mail"...This whole thing stinks BIG TIME!! The people in Florida have every RIGHT to be angry, and I think with all this TYPE of irregularity there should be an investigation into the whole mess.

I think the total FOCUS on simply the recount efforts by the media is missing the mark here. It seems to me that there is something much more serious afoot

What is the penalty for tampering with public elections? I dont know. These people are trying to take away the most important facet of Democracy. That is, The Right To Choose. I'm no rich, white, male but I was raised to believe that I matter. This is your one chance to get out and show the planet how you feel about America and have it make a difference. If tampering has been involved with the Florida election, then those responsible deserve to be punished to the full extent of the people, the law, or whatever else is needed to insure that justice prevails. How do we know that this hasn't been going on at every election? I am outraged at even the thought of these actions. Death to the good ol' boys. NO MORE REDNECKS IN THE WHITE HOUSE!!!!!!!

The only disenfranchisement any Black voter suffered was not being properly educated or instructed on how to vote or what to expect once they went to the poll to vote after they were inspired to register and vote by Jesse Jackson et al and their traveling show.

Education is the responsiblity of the individual and if individuals are going to be inspired to go out and participate then the responsibility lies at the feet of the individual or individuals who are motivating other individuals to go out and vote. Especially if any of these participants or voters are new to the process and never voted before. It is not the fault of the system and it is not a conspiracy against Black or Hispanic voters.

Screw all racists! Screw Jesse Jackson! Screw the NAACP!

how do I get a copy of the civil rights suit filed by the NAACP in Florida over the voting disparity in the minority community, that was televised on CSPAN 1/10/01. BET does not show it on their website nor CNN. Thank you Minerva