November 6th, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Feldman Strategies, team@feldmanstrategies.com
Following the outcome of the 2024 General Election, Genesis Robinson, the Executive Director of Equal Ground Action Fund, issued the following statement:
"As we absorb the results of the 2024 election, we wake with a heavy heart, profoundly disappointed by an outcome that is a true setback for so many who longed for a government that would finally uplift and listen to all its people.
The last few years have tested the resilience of our democracy. From the shocking attack on January 6th to the waves of restrictive and draconian laws that followed, we have seen countless assaults on our most fundamental rights. Each of these moments should have marked a turning point, but instead, we are faced with an outcome that seems to ignore the calls for justice, accountability, and equity for all.
While we accept the outcome of the election, we do so with the sobering awareness that ongoing attacks on our democracy have severely impacted access to voting. Across the country, voter suppression tactics — from stringent ID requirements and restrictions on third-party voter registration efforts to aggressive voter purges and limitations on vote-by-mail — have made it increasingly difficult for people to participate fully in the democratic process. These barriers have silenced voices and restricted representation in this election, undermining the foundation of a democracy that should be accessible to all.
For Black voters, these outcomes cut especially deep. Our communities carry the weight of generations who fought against the odds, enduring the hardest of times with courage and hope. They dreamed of a country where they would be seen, valued, and heard. Today, that dream feels deferred, as once again, we confront a reality where the hopes of so many are met with a blind eye. And now, a person like Donald Trump — who, despite multiple criminal cases and felony convictions, will return to the White House ready to implement Project 2025 and seek retribution on his political enemies after defeating Vice President Kamala Harris, a leader whose qualifications and commitment to all Americans stand beyond reproach.
Although a majority of Florida voters supported crucial ballot initiatives like Amendment 3 and Amendment 4, the 60% passage requirement prevented these policies from advancing and moving our state forward. The initiatives for recreational cannabis and the protection of abortion rights were not just policy decisions — they represented steps toward justice, health, and dignity for all Floridians. The failure to protect abortion rights is particularly devastating in a state with one of the nation’s most restrictive abortion bans, cutting off critical healthcare access for countless individuals, especially low-income communities and people of color. This setback is a reminder of the significant barriers we face in our pursuit of equality and freedom.
We’re incredibly proud of everything we put into this fight. Yes, we came up short in electing many leaders who share our values, but we’re grateful for every effort along the way. From our legislative tour breaking down what took place in Florida’s legislative session, our Pastors at the Polls program, to the endless phone calls, door knocks, and community events — we did everything we could to get folks involved and informed.
While today may feel like a setback, it also reignites our purpose. Elections have consequences, and we face those consequences with a commitment to hold our leaders accountable, amplify our voices, and remind those in power that we are here. We will never be silenced or overlooked.
Our communities know resilience, and we draw strength from those who came before us. Now is not the time to retreat; it is the time to build the future we deserve. We grieve together, but we also rise together. Equal Ground remains steadfast and will continue to fight, organize, and strategize for our communities, for our families, and for our democracy."
Genesis Robinson
Interim Executive Director
Equal Ground Action Fund