Following successful stops in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, the “Freedom Is At Stake” GOTV Bus Tour heads to North Carolina with a focus on engaging Black youth, particularly around the North Carolina A&T University Homecoming celebrations. In partnership with The American Federation of Teachers (AFT), SEIU, NAACP, The Collective PAC, Push Black, Mobilize Justice, Voto Latino, organizations, the tour will energize voters with music, food, and mobilization efforts at HBCUs and community centers to promote early voting.
Media is asked to RSVP HERE to attend
Watch some footage of our prior stops here
Greensboro, NC – Fresh off successful stops in Cleveland, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Detroit, the “Freedom Is At Stake” GOTV Bus Tour is arriving in North Carolina with a series of high-energy events aimed at galvanizing Black youth and engaging Black men—two critical voter groups in the 2024 election. With a strong focus on North Carolina A&T University Homecoming and maximizing voter turnout, the tour will partner with AFT, SEIU, NAACP, and other key organizations to host voter registration drives, early voting celebrations, and community rallies.
Black men and youth will play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of the 2024 election, especially around the issues that matter most to them—economic security, reproductive justice, fighting back against racism and attacks on DEI, expanding education and healthcare access, and protecting democracy. With so much on the line, from safeguarding basic rights and freedoms to securing a fair economy and equitable future, these communities must be empowered to vote and make their voices heard.
As AFT Secretary-Treasurer Fedrick Ingram joins these mobilization efforts, the tour provides critical opportunities to engage voters, educate them on what’s at stake, and ensure that they turn out in large numbers to shape the future of the nation. The high-energy events will provide not only voter mobilization but also community-building moments through music, food, and direct voter engagement efforts leading up to Election Day.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with the Freedom Is At Stake coalition and other organizations to reach students and young voters across North Carolina,” said AFT Secretary Treasurer, Fedrick Ingram. “These events around Homecoming are a powerful way to engage young Black voters, energize our communities, and ensure everyone’s voice is heard in this crucial election. With so much on the line—our rights, economic security, and the future of our democracy—now is the time for all of us to come together and vote.”
“Black voters and youth in North Carolina are going to determine the future of this nation,” said Andi Pringle, Founder and CEO of Registration Nation Action Fund. “We’ve seen at every stop on this tour that when you frame this election about empowering our communities and having a seat at the table so that our rights and our freedoms are secured, people feel empowered to come out and vote.”
“In every battleground state, we know that voter turnout will make the difference,” said Quentin James, Founder and President of The CollectivePAC. “We are engaging in every critical battleground state, and North Carolina is no different – the participation of Black voters, young people, and communities of color will decide the outcome of this country. This tour is about reminding voters that their voices have the power to shape the nation’s future.”
Working people will make the difference in this election. We want good union jobs in strong, thriving communities with clean water, safe schools, affordable housing, and accessible care. Workers are turning out across the country, voting for us—because when we vote for us, we win, said April Verrett, SEIU President.
NextGen America, a key partner in this effort, is focused on mobilizing young voters nationwide. Harry Johnson, VP of Strategic Partnerships for NextGen America, said, “For over a decade, NextGen has worked across the country to empower young people to engage in our elections and have their voices heard at the ballot box. With Election Day less than a month away, we are ensuring that young voters have everything they need to create a government that respects us, reflects us, and represents us.”
Event Details for North Carolina GOTV Stops:
Friday, October 18, 2024
- Event 1: Freedom Is At Stake Early Vote Student Rally at Winston-Salem State University
Location: Anderson Center, 1545 Reynolds Park Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27110
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
This event will include music, food, texting and phone banking to mobilize Winston-Salem State students. In partnership with NAACP, AFT, and D9 affiliates.
- Event 2: Freedom Is At Stake Early Vote Student Rally at North Carolina A&T University
Location: Gibbs Hall, 1229 E Market St, Greensboro, NC 27401
Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
This event will include music, food, texting and phone banking to mobilize NC A&T students. In partnership with NAACP, AFT (with Sec-Treasurer Fedrick Ingram), D9 affiliates, and the Department of History and Political Science.
- Event 3: Soar to the Polls: A Night to Remember at North Carolina Central University
Location: Student Center Lawn, 500 Nelson St, Durham, NC 27707
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
This event will include music, food, and voter mobilization at NC Central University. The early voting location will be open until 7:30 PM. AFT Sec-Treasurer Fedrick Ingram will be joining us.
Saturday, October 19, 2024
- Event 1: Freedom Is At Stake Early Vote Rally & Basketball Tournament
Location: Chavis Park Community Center, near Shaw University
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
The bus will stage at this high-traffic event to encourage early voting through voter registration and mobilization.
Sunday, October 20, 2024
- Event 1: Freedom Is At Stake Early Vote Souls to the Polls March/Parade
Location: MLK Memorial Gardens, 1215 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Raleigh, NC
Time: 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM
The bus will participate in the early voting parade as voters make their way to the polls.
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Registration Nation Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) organization focused on expanding voter registration and building ongoing civic dialogue with young people and communities of color. Through grassroots efforts and strategic partnerships, we work to engage those who have been historically excluded from the democratic process.
