Suncoast Women of Action Hosts Inaugural Voting Rights Rally in Newtown
On Saturday, February 26th, the Suncoast Women of Action hosted its inaugural voting rights rally at the Newtown Estates Recreation Center in Sarasota. This event paid homage to the late civil rights activist Dr. Edward James II who vigorously fought for social justice and equality for the Newtown community.
In 1979, Dr. James was the lead plaintiff in a landmark federal case that challenged the City of Sarasota Commission and its election process. The lawsuit stated that the Commission’s election process violated the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments to the United States Constitution. Other plaintiffs in the lawsuit are the late William F. Jackson and John Rivers and surviving plaintiff Sheila E. Sanders who was listed as S.E. Sanders. “If somebody tells you that you don’t know what you are thinking or you don’t have the right to think it, then you’re being marginalized,” stated Sanders. “They are making themselves superior to you and what you want for yourself and others.” She went on to tell the audience that
“let us not allow the selfishness of others to infiltrate our spirits. Let us remember that fairness is never, ever inappropriate.”
Additional speakers included Helen James, president of the Suncoast Women of Action and Dr. James’s widow, Edward James III, Dr. James’s son, Velinda Bowen-Coates, Raymell Grimes, Donald Haygood, Barbara Nell Langston, Kindra Muntz (Sarasota Alliance for Fair Elections), John Severini (Rank My Vote Florida), Pastor R. Vincent Smith III (Trinity Christian Fellowship Center), Arlene Sweeting (Suncoast Women of Action and WSLR 96.5 FM), Rickey Thomas and Pastor John Walker (Bethel CME Church).
City of Sarasota Vice Mayor Kyle Battie (District One) and Commissioner Hagen Brody (At-Large) dedicated a proclamation to honor Dr. James’s life and contributions.
“Dr. James was fearless in stepping up and stepping out,”
read Vice Mayor Battie. “As an elected official we represent everybody in our community, but we’re only held accountable to those who vote. You have to exercise that right to vote. It’s so important to move our community forward,” stated Commissioner Brody.
This event also coincided with the first day of early voting for the school district millage referendum and county charter referendum. The school district millage referendum addresses the March 2002 ad valorem
millage increase for the Sarasota County School District’s operating expenses such as the recruitment and retention of qualified teachers, the implementation and perseverance of educational programs and the provision of textbooks and technology.
Under the proposed county charter referendum county commissioners would be elected by voters county-wide and not according to the current election process where county commissioners are elected by voters from within the single-member district where they reside.
During the program, Helen James announced that this year’s voting rights rally is an inaugural event that will continue for years to come. She also emphasized the importance of community members registering to vote and exercising their right to vote. “Here we are today and it’s a good day,” stated James.
“Ed would be proud of us as we continue to keep up the good fight. We will continue to get everyone registered to vote and we will continue to get everyone to vote. Most importantly, we will continue to have voter education classes so that we can understand what we are voting for.”
Community partners who offered their services during the voting rights rally were CenterPlace Health, First Home Bank and Walgreens (Store #2085).
