KANSAS CITY, Mo. — With less than three months before the November elections, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes joined LeBron James and other athletes and celebrities in signing a letter urging fans to fight against black voter suppression.
The main point of the letter: the Black vote matters now more than ever.
In the letter released Monday on The Undefeated website it read, “We are a coalition of Black athletes and artists who came together amid the protests fueled by the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor by police.”
“We are focused on systemic, targeted voter suppression in our community and have a specific mission: educate, energize and protect Black voters,” the group said.
The Undefeated reported the letter was released as part of the More Than A Vote organization started by James.
More Than A Vote, “is focused on getting more African Americans to the polls,” according to The Undefeated.
In the letter, the group said the Black vote is more important than ever and said COVID-19 is the leading danger to black communities this year.
“In counties where Black people are the majority, death rates are 3.5 times higher than the national average,” the group said.
To help ensure voters are safe this coming November, the group is working to expand voting locations to bigger sports venues and facilities.
“One solution that More Than A Vote is working on is to convert as many arenas and sports facilities as possible into voting precincts,” the group said.
“These are large, open spaces, often in city centers, that allow for social distancing. They are also going totally unused (we should know) and should be put to use in every city that needs more space,” the group said.
The athletes and celebrities who signed the letter are:
Emmanuel Acho, Ray Allen, Jozy Altidore, Tim Anderson, Mo Bamba, Odell Beckham Jr., Eric Bledsoe, Toni Braxton, Bun B, Caron Butler, Carlton Davis, Skylar Diggins, Jeremy Ebobisse, Mike Evans, Allyson Felix, Draymond Green, Brittney Griner, Kevin Hart, Udonis Haslem, Andrew Hawkins, Jason Heyward, DeAndre Hopkins, LeBron James, Alvin Kamara, Damian Lillard, Kyle Lowry, Patrick Mahomes, CJ McCollum, Renee Montgomery, Justin Morrow, Arike Ogunbowale, Dare Ogunbowale, Chiney Ogwumike, Jeff Okudah, Kendrick Perkins, David Price, Jalen Rose, CC Sabathia, Ben Simmons, Sloane Stephens, Marcus Stroman, Maria Taylor, Kristi Toliver, Michael Vick, Bobby Wagner, A’ja Wilson and Trae Young.
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