An important appeal here by my colleague in Lambeth and Parliamentary Candidate for Dulwich and West Norwood, Shane Collins, calling on black people to register to vote in this year's general and local elections in London. Vauxhall also has a large black population and I hope that the leaders of the black community will encourge people to vote and not to allow this opportunity to pass.
Call for Green and Black people to register to vote
The Green Party's Parliamentary Candidate for Dulwich and West Norwood, Shane Collins, presented Reverend Al Sharpton with a Brixton Pound at the Operation Black Vote 'Register to Vote' meeting on Thursday 21st January at Friends Meeting House in Euston.
Shane Collins said: "The Reverend Sharpton comes from Harlem, the spiritual home of Marcus Garvey. His message of keeping economic power in the community is more relevant than ever today - with the corporate takeover of much of our lives. This message has been taken up by Transition Town, as exemplified by the Brixton Pound which I was proud to present to the Reverend Sharpton."
"Voter registration among the black community is only 45% in younger age groups, similar to the black youth unemployment rate. There is a connection. Black and green people have the power to change the results in the local and general elections but only if registered and voting.
"So remember Rosa Parks, honour Nelson Mandela, take heart from President Obama and register to vote by contacting your Town Hall or www.electoralcommission.org.uk. Remember racists register and racists vote."
For elections on 6th May the deadline to register is 20th April.
Quotes from Rev Sharpton speech
"How you define yourself is how you confine yourself. You have all this technology, Facebook, Twitter, Blackberry's. And you can't get ten black Britons to go and vote?
"At a time when we can elect Presidents, there is no excuse for us to be sitting down and not doing anything, and avoid recognising that it's a new time."
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