#ELECTION2018 — Obama Backs Abrams at Morehouse

By Sierra Porter

After traveling to all 155 Georgia counties, Abrams is making sure that her voice is heard loud and clear for people of Georgia to make their vote count.

Former U.S. President Barack Obama is the latest of high powered luminaries having lent their support to Abrams as the Democratic nominee fires up her base as Tuesday draws near. On Friday evening, Abrams and Obama shared the stage at Morehouse College’s Forbes Arena, as they attempted to reassure the Georgia electorate in the last days of the high stakes election.

More than 3,000 people attended the rally with some supporters spending the night outside the Morehouse College Forbes arena to get a chance to see Abrams and Obama.

The line to get into the event winded through the neighborhood past Clark Atlanta University’s campus along Student Movement Boulevard.

“Stacey Abrams, we’re proud of you. We love you for doing what most Georgians could not,” said Daniel Black, a Clark Atlanta University author and professor who were among those in line. “You have brought people together of ever walk possible. You’ve brought together the descendants of the slave master and the slave herself. This is one America. Thank You.”

A number of celebrities and political figure attended the Get Out The Vote Rally including, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Democratic Lieutenant Governor nominee Sarah Riggs Amico, Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church the Rev. Raphael G. Warnock, former Attorney General Eric Holder, rapper 2 Chainz, music mogul Jermaine Dupri, actor/comedian Chris Tucker, and more.

Tucker and Dupri had a clear message for the people of Georgia, “go vote!”

U.S. Representative for Georgia’s 5th congressional district John Lewis sent the crowd in a frenzy when he said: “Vote as you’ve never voted before.”

As the crowd chanted for Abrams, she appeared on stage sending the audience into a frenzy as they yelled, “Stacey, Stacey, Stacey!”

Abrams appeared on stage telling everyone how vital it is to go out and vote if they haven’t already. Majority of the crowd raised their hand when asked if they have already cast their ballot.

With a different vision from her Republican opponent, Brian Kemp, Abrams says that she will do for all people.

“Georgia can do more and be more for ALL of us,” Abrams said.

Rapping up her speech with her vision for Georgia, Abrams welcomed former President of the United States, Barack Obama.

Obama appeared on stage hugging Abrams and expressing his support for the Democratic candidate for governor. As he once stated during his campaign for president, “Don’t boo, Vote!”
Obama pointed out his concerns if Abrams isn’t elected as governor.

“The character of our country is on the line,” Obama said.

During his speech, Obama credits Abrams and supports her policies for affordable health care, equal rights for all people no matter where they came from, what they look like, or who they love.

“If you believe in the constitution then you got to know that one person cannot decide who is an American citizen,” Obama said.

Obama wrapped up his speech, hugged Abrams, and exited the stage greeting the crowd of people.

The audience crowded around the former president as attendees in the stands yelled “vote, vote, vote.”

Some of Abrams’ policies include affordable housing by creating a statewide affordable housing trust fund; fighting to expand Medicaid to make health care more accessible; affordable education by investing in quality child care for families and funding public schools; as wells as advocating for anti-discrimination laws to protect workers.

Brice Anderson, a digital organizer for the Democratic party of Georgia, runs the social media to help support Abrams’ campaign, Amico, and Democrats across Georgia. Anderson expressed his thoughts on the importance of the Get Out The Vote Rally.

“Barack Obama can turn out the vote, and that’s what we need for (Abrams) to get the victory,” Anderson said. “We had nearly 2 million people vote for early vote and we’re expecting to have over a million people vote on election day to welcome Stacey into office.”

The polls close Tuesday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m.

This article originally appeared in the Atlanta Voice.