Last night, top musical artists Tip "T.I." Harris, Rick Ross, Gucci Mane, Pusha T, and Jay Electronica joined social justice activists for "YOUNG GETS IT DONE," a GOTV rally hosted by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers that brought thousands of young people to Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens. Hosted by multimedia icon Angie Martinez and featuring special correspondent YesJulz, the event, held in partnership with NAACP Youth and College Division, featured passionate remarks and performances from artists and social justice activists including Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin, to energize young people of color to turn out and vote on Election Day.
In addition to the event, Florida's 1199SEIU teamed up with Steven Pargett of
Militia Design to direct, "11.08.16/It's Time," a short film and mobilizing call to action and to vote directed at communities of color. "11.08.16/It's Time" is Executive Produced by Marvin Bing, and features celebrities, hip-hop artists, and community activists including Pusha T; T.I.; Jay Electronica; Emory Jones; Rotimi; Lajan Slim; Sybrina Fulton; Aja Monet, Afro-Cuban poet and activist; Umi Selah, Dream Defenders; and an exclusive call from
Kodak Black from St. Lucie County Jail.
To view the video please click here:
https://vimeo.com/190704256
"We decided to put this out on Election Day because it's time to tell a different story from communities often ignored in election Get Out The Vote strategies, Marvin Bing Founder of Art School DropOut and Producer of YOUNG GETS IT DONE said. "'It's Time' tells stories from artists and activists from those ignored communities."
"My people it's time to wake up. It's time to stand up. It's time to participate. It's time for action. We need to save our children," Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin said. "Nobody is going to save our children for us. We need to save our own kids, and we need to think about how we're going to do that. Because our children need to stop being killed, stop being murdered, stop being slaughtered, stop being hunted. It's time. It's time for you to do your part."
In an effort to mobilize African-American, Latino, and Haitian/Caribbean young people between 18 and 34, the free and open-to-the-public rally brought together approximately 6,000 voters in Miami, combatting the misconception that millennials are increasingly out of touch with modern politics.
"We were blessed to have artists take the time to get out here to Florida Memorial University and impress upon the young folks why it's important for them to get out and vote," said
George Gresham, President of 1199SEIU. "Communities of color and working people have too much at stake for us to stay home today."
Additional special guests and performers included: Rotimi; Bre-Z; YesJulz,070 Shake; DJ Stevie J; Marcos "Kosine" Palacios; Umi Selah, Dream Defenders;
Stephen Green, NAACP Youth and
College Division National Director; Aja Monet, Afro-Cuban poet and activist; Carmen Berkley, Director of the Civil, Human & Women's Rights AFL-CIO; and Aaron Mair, President, Sierra Club.
As the largest healthcare union in the nation, 1199SEIU represents nurses, homecare workers and other healthcare professionals with the mission of advocating for quality care and good jobs for all. Since 1932, healthcare workers have also been on the front lines in the fight for social justice.
Photo Credit: 1199SEIU
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