Guests attend ‘Reclaim Your Vote’ rally at this year’s Urban League Conference

NEW ORLEANS ( WGNO ) — It was a call to action, and about 2000 people answered as they entered the doors to the 2024 Urban League “Reclaim Your Vote” rally.

“We’ve seen efforts across the nation to make it harder for people to vote. We should be opening the doors to American democracy. It’s what this nation was founded on,” National Urban League President and CEO Marc C. Morial said.

During the event, over a dozen speakers, including city and state officials, community activists and motivational speakers, took to the stage, sharing the importance of casting your vote.

“Democracy is on the ballot, our future is on the ballot. And we have to come together, get energized, remind ourselves of the importance of vote and what an awesome right it is,” Representative Royce Duplessis said.

Voter registration was available at the rally as well for those interested, giving each guest, especially those in the younger generation, an easy opportunity to make their voices heard.

“Every voice is important, and no voice should go to waste, especially at an age like mine,” attendee Juanye Mackie said.

“When Barack was running for office, we were able to secure that vote. We were able to also secure him being president with the college vote, with that youth vote,” Xavier University student Destinee Kerr said.

While the call to vote is important, those with the event say it’s also the duty of the people to continue to hold those that they elect accountable after elections.

“Once you elect someone, that’s just step one. You have to make sure that they are living up to what they promised, or if something needs to change, that they’re listening to you as a voter; and that’s what we’re promoting at Urban League of Louisiana and that’s what the national Urban League promotes across the country,” Urban League of Louisiana President and CEO Judy Morse said.

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