Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 2-9-18

Features
Organizations Plan First Annual Youth College Tour
Readers Share Opinions On Voter Rights Restoration
MRS. CHLOE ROSS DR. SAMUEL DANNY MS. VIVIAN CONEY ANDERSON WRIGHT GREEN HEYWARD
MRS. HELEN NEAL-ALI Director of Agape Outreach, Inc.
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
In the past, two local organ- izations have united to provide outreach programs for young- sters. Now, they are in the process of organizing their “First Annual 2018 College Tour.”
Agape Outreach, Inc., and The Rays of Hope Outreach are planning a spring event for youngsters of the area. They are planning to visit three Historic Black Colleges and Universities, (HBCUs), the Martin Luther King, Jr., Center, and the Ebenezer Baptist Church, in At- lanta. The trip will also include a visit to the Six Flags Theme Park.
Mrs. Helen Neal-Ali, Di- rector of Agape Outreach, Inc., said the proposed trip will take place from Thursday, March 15th through Sunday, March
HORACE DREW Founder, Rays of Hope Outreach, Inc.
18th.
They are trying to raise funds to accommodate 40 inner-city youths and 8 adult chaperones.
“There are two ways the community can help. They can join us on Sunday, February 10th, beginning at 6:30 p.m., at the Fort Harrison Hotel, 210 S. Ft. Harrison Avenue, in Clear- water for dinner, dancing, and entertainment. The event will feature Alxndr & Boy Wonda, and the Flag Band,” she said.
But those who would just like to make a contribution, can contact Mrs. Neal-Ali at (813) 270-2436.
The Rays Of Hope Out- reach, Inc., is a 501c3 tax ex- empt organization. Horace Drew, founder of the organiza- tion can be reached at (813) 531-5636, or www.raysofhope- outreach.com.
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
As many of you know, enough signatures were col- lected last month to have the voter rights restoration amendment placed on the bal- lot for November 2018. As of 2016, an estimated 1.7 million people in Florida were con- victed felons and not allowed to vote.
The passage of the amend- ment would allow those con- victed of a felony, with the exception of those convicted of murder, sex crimes, and other violent crimes. Those whose rights are restored will not be allowed to hold an elected of- fice, or possess a gun. There may be other exclusions as well.
If 60 percent of the regis- tered voters agree that the rights of convicted felons should be restored (with some exceptions), then do you think the amendment should pass? If it passes, it would add more than 1 million voters to the Florida rolls.
Some Sentinel readers shared their opinion about the amendment that would restore voting rights to convicted felons who have satisfied all court ordered sanctions.
Mrs. Chloe Coney said, “Yes, I strongly believe rights of felons should be restored, they served their time and should be able to participate in voting. What we need now is for the people who can vote in November to vote to change this horrible law.”
Ross Anderson said, “I feel that the amendment should pass. We expect con- victed felons to fulfill their sen- tences, pay their dues to society and live law-abiding lives. Yet, we deprive them of a fundamental right in reinte- grating them into society.
“Florida, Iowa and Ken- tucky are the ONLY three states to permanently bar all citizens with felony convic- tions from voting, no matter how long they have lived a crime-free life. My question is why have we allowed this prac- tice to go on this long?”
Dr. Samuel Wright said, “Yes!!! We serve a God, who is a God of a second chance. Why shouldn’t they have a second chance? Let those felons VOTE!”
Danny Green said, “I think their rights should be re- stored, and I think we should pass the bill. If they did the time for their crimes, then they should have the right to vote again.
“One million votes are a lot of votes for the State of Florida. Just because you com- mit a crime you should still be able to vote. Committing a crime should not have any- thing to do with the right to vote.”
Ms. Vivian Heyward
said, “I believe once a person has finished all of the require- ments the Court has ordered, his or her rights should be re- stored. For those who must have a clemency hearing, the process should start before they are released from prison so that they will be able to vote within the five years they are back in society.”
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2018 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-A