Saturday, November 7th
Wisconsin community leaders, activists and voters gathered at the Capitol to celebrate a smooth and successful election
VIEW/DOWNLOAD PHOTOS FROM EVENT
MADISON, Wis.— Community leaders and activists gathered together in Madison today to celebrate democracy and congratulate Wisconsin officials on smooth election and vote count. With all eyes on Wisconsin in November, the Badger State played a pivotal role in sending a new president to the White House for the second time in a row. By a margin of just over 20,000 votes, the state’s ten electoral votes will go to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Despite the coronavirus pandemic, record turnout, and close margins, by all accounts the election was well administered and smoothly run. Speakers at today’s press conference sent a clear message: the voters decided, now it’s time to get to work.
Video from the event can be found on the Opportunity Wisconsin Facebook page.
“Now that the voters have decided, it is critical that we come together in recognition of what we have achieved and continue to speak up for our shared values and what we believe in: representation of all voices in our democracy, justice and equity across race and place, and reminding all politicians that voters choose our leaders, not the other way around,” said Kevin Gundlach, President of the South Central Federation of Labor.
“We have come here this morning to affirm that in Wisconsin every vote was counted. We’ve come to make our voices heard. We are not obligated to finish the work of fighting for a just nation, but we must not stand idly by,” said Rabbi Laurie Zimmerman. “We must never give up our struggle for democracy, and we must never give up our struggle for justice.
“The American people are very resilient, hard working, and determined. Just about five days ago we went to the polls, to assess and make a statement about Donald Trump and his administration,” said Madison City Councilman and Assemblyman-elect Samba Baldeh. “We’ll make sure that every vote is counted. Be patient, sit tight, all the votes will come through.”
“None of us forget how powerful [the vote] is, especially in the African American community,” said SEIU member and frontline worker Michael Elvord. “Black power is the Black vote.”
“Power is in us. Power is in our people, in our streets, in our communities — taking care of each other, feeding each other, keeping each other safe. I saw that power this week when I watched people in Wisconsin — in Madison, Milwaukee, and across the state — rising up to come together and make our voices heard,” said Maya Banks of Sunrise Madison. “That power is what decided this election.”
“[Our democracy] hasn’t always been perfect, we all know that. When it started you had to be a landowning white male to vote. Slowly, over time, we have become more inclusive. And because we have become more inclusive, because more people have voted, have used their voice in this democratic process, our society has improved greatly. We have a long ways to go still, but we have come a long way. And in this election, in 2020, it’s never been more true,” said Awais Khaleel of the Wisconsin Muslim Civic Alliance.
“We have a voice. Not only at a national level, but at a local level, we have a voice. One of the most important ways to use your voice is to vote,” said Fitchburg Alder Joe Maldonado. “You all made the outcome of this election possible. Black people in Milwaukee, in Detroit, in Georgia made things possible. Hmong communities and indeginious communities in Wisconsin made this possible. Don’t ever lose that voice.”
“Young people turned out in waves because their lives literally depended on it this cycle. Young people, particularly young people of color, decided this election all across the state. They made a difference at every level. But we know the work’s not done. We know that young people didn’t just have a moment, that this is going to be a movement. We know that young people are going to be turning out at historic rates, taking their power back, and making sure that they have a government that represents their values,” said Kade Walker of NextGen Wisconsin.
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