RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Pastors from Faith in Florida will escort members from a variety of congregations in South Palm Beach County in a convoy to the polls on Sunday after church.
“This nation is under crisis, and we must make our voices heard," said Pastor Rae Whitely. "I do not care who you vote for, but you must vote. Many people lost their lives for us to have the right to vote and not voting is in essence telling those before us, ‘we don’t care.'"
Dr. J.R. Thicklin, one of the pastors spearheading this effort, says, "Our vote is our voice and the souls to the polls vote fest provides an opportunity to not only vote early in solidarity but also celebrate our privilege to vote. We are paying it forward what blood, sweat and tears provided us."
People will begin lining up at 2:15 p.m. at the Boynton Beach House of Worship at 135 NE 7th Avenue in Boynton Beach. They will congregate at the Ezell Hester Center at 1901 N. Seacrest Blvd. in Boynton Beach. Troy's Barbecue will provide food. There will also be gospel music.
A second group will organize at 2 p.m. at the St. James Missionary Baptist Church at 1524 West 34th Street in Riviera Beach. They will go to the Wells Recreation Center. Food will be provided by McCray's Backyard Bar-B-Q and Sistas Kitchen. There will also be gospel music at Riviera Beach City Hall.
Faith in Florida and Equal Ground are sponsors.
Early voting runs through Sunday, Nov. 1. The General Election is Nov. 3.