English subtitles for clip: File:President Obama Speaks at the National Action Network Convention.webm
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1 00:00:02,961 --> 00:00:07,261 The President: Thank you so much. 2 00:00:07,261 --> 00:00:10,631 It is good to be at the National Action Network! 3 00:00:10,628 --> 00:00:13,528 (applause) 4 00:00:13,528 --> 00:00:14,398 It is good to be here 5 00:00:14,394 --> 00:00:17,424 with some good friends. 6 00:00:17,428 --> 00:00:18,958 Audience Member: We love you! 7 00:00:18,961 --> 00:00:19,791 The President: I love you back. 8 00:00:19,795 --> 00:00:25,065 (applause) 9 00:00:25,061 --> 00:00:26,261 It is wonderful to 10 00:00:26,261 --> 00:00:27,991 be with all of you. 11 00:00:27,994 --> 00:00:30,194 I want to say, first of all, 12 00:00:30,194 --> 00:00:35,924 thank you to your leader, Reverend Al Sharpton. 13 00:00:35,928 --> 00:00:36,858 Give him a big round of applause. 14 00:00:36,861 --> 00:00:40,861 (applause) 15 00:00:40,861 --> 00:00:42,591 And I appreciate the idea of being 16 00:00:42,594 --> 00:00:43,894 an "action" President, 17 00:00:43,895 --> 00:00:47,425 although I do also have style -- 18 00:00:47,428 --> 00:00:48,198 (laughter) 19 00:00:48,194 --> 00:00:50,924 -- I just want to point that out. 20 00:00:50,928 --> 00:00:54,398 I know it's not about it, but I just -- 21 00:00:54,394 --> 00:00:55,524 but I do have it. 22 00:00:55,528 --> 00:00:59,398 (laughter) 23 00:00:59,394 --> 00:01:02,464 Al is not the only guy with style. 24 00:01:02,461 --> 00:01:04,761 We've got Barbara Arnwine here today, 25 00:01:04,761 --> 00:01:06,791 and we want to thank her. 26 00:01:06,795 --> 00:01:09,325 Clayola Brown, thank you. 27 00:01:09,328 --> 00:01:10,598 Melanie Campbell, thank you. 28 00:01:10,594 --> 00:01:12,664 Marc Morial, thank you. 29 00:01:12,661 --> 00:01:14,161 We've got members of Congress, state 30 00:01:14,161 --> 00:01:16,791 and local officials from New York. 31 00:01:16,795 --> 00:01:18,025 And of course, we've got all of you. 32 00:01:18,027 --> 00:01:19,157 So thanks to all of you 33 00:01:19,161 --> 00:01:21,131 for such a wonderful welcome. 34 00:01:21,127 --> 00:01:23,157 (applause) 35 00:01:23,161 --> 00:01:25,991 Everybody, sit down. 36 00:01:25,994 --> 00:01:26,694 Sit down. 37 00:01:33,194 --> 00:01:35,094 Al doesn't know how to get back to his seat. 38 00:01:35,628 --> 00:01:38,928 (laughter) 39 00:01:38,928 --> 00:01:43,158 Somebody help out the leader here. 40 00:01:43,161 --> 00:01:47,031 But don't make him jump over it. 41 00:01:47,027 --> 00:01:48,227 Okay, they're going to explain it. 42 00:01:48,227 --> 00:01:49,227 There we go. 43 00:01:49,227 --> 00:01:50,227 All right. 44 00:01:50,227 --> 00:01:52,727 You're going to be all right. 45 00:01:52,728 --> 00:01:55,698 Now, the last time I was here was three years ago, 46 00:01:55,695 --> 00:01:58,525 and a few things have changed since then. 47 00:01:58,528 --> 00:02:00,598 I am here as a second term President. 48 00:02:00,594 --> 00:02:07,694 (applause) 49 00:02:07,695 --> 00:02:09,225 I have more gray hair. 50 00:02:09,227 --> 00:02:12,397 (laughter) 51 00:02:12,394 --> 00:02:13,164 It's all right. 52 00:02:21,127 --> 00:02:22,097 Let's see, what else -- 53 00:02:22,094 --> 00:02:24,094 I've got twice as many dogs. 54 00:02:26,994 --> 00:02:29,364 I'm glad I won't have to serve a third term -- 55 00:02:29,361 --> 00:02:31,661 because three dogs is too many. 56 00:02:31,661 --> 00:02:32,861 I can't keep on promising 57 00:02:32,861 --> 00:02:36,831 Malia and Sasha another dog. 58 00:02:36,828 --> 00:02:39,498 Of course one thing that has not changed 59 00:02:39,494 --> 00:02:43,894 is your commitment to the cause of civil rights for everybody 60 00:02:43,895 --> 00:02:46,425 and opportunity for all people. 61 00:02:46,428 --> 00:02:47,528 And that's been something that's been 62 00:02:47,528 --> 00:02:48,858 on my mind this week. 63 00:02:48,861 --> 00:02:52,091 Some of you may know that yesterday I was down 64 00:02:52,094 --> 00:02:55,624 in Austin, Texas at the LBJ Library to speak 65 00:02:55,628 --> 00:02:57,958 on the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act 66 00:02:57,961 --> 00:02:59,491 and the man who signed it into law. 67 00:02:59,494 --> 00:03:02,064 (applause) 68 00:03:02,061 --> 00:03:03,131 And standing there, 69 00:03:03,127 --> 00:03:08,527 I thought of all the Americans, known and unknown, 70 00:03:08,528 --> 00:03:12,528 who made it possible for me to stand in that spot -- 71 00:03:12,528 --> 00:03:17,128 who marched and organized, and sat in, and stood up for 72 00:03:17,127 --> 00:03:19,327 jobs and for justice. 73 00:03:19,328 --> 00:03:23,058 I thought of all who achieved that great 74 00:03:23,061 --> 00:03:27,791 victory and others -- not just with respect 75 00:03:27,795 --> 00:03:30,025 to the Civil Rights Act, but the Voting Rights Act 76 00:03:30,027 --> 00:03:33,897 and the Fair Housing Act, and immigration reform, 77 00:03:33,895 --> 00:03:37,865 and Medicare and Medicaid, and the first battles 78 00:03:37,861 --> 00:03:39,131 of a long War on Poverty. 79 00:03:39,127 --> 00:03:43,427 And over the past five years, in the wake 80 00:03:43,428 --> 00:03:45,798 of the worst economic crisis of our lifetimes, 81 00:03:45,795 --> 00:03:48,925 we've won some victories, too. 82 00:03:48,928 --> 00:03:51,698 Nearly 9 million new jobs at America's businesses 83 00:03:51,695 --> 00:03:52,965 over the past four years. 84 00:03:52,961 --> 00:03:55,931 (applause) 85 00:03:55,928 --> 00:03:57,958 Seven and a half million Americans 86 00:03:57,961 --> 00:04:00,331 signing up to buy health care coverage under the 87 00:04:00,328 --> 00:04:01,158 Affordable Care Act. 88 00:04:01,161 --> 00:04:05,091 (applause) 89 00:04:05,094 --> 00:04:06,264 And millions more who have gained 90 00:04:06,261 --> 00:04:08,991 coverage through Medicaid and CHIP, and young people 91 00:04:08,994 --> 00:04:10,824 being able to stay on their parents' plans. 92 00:04:10,828 --> 00:04:15,058 The rate of uninsured Americans is down. 93 00:04:15,061 --> 00:04:17,631 High school dropout rates are down. 94 00:04:17,628 --> 00:04:19,428 Our high school graduation rate 95 00:04:19,428 --> 00:04:20,958 is the highest on record. 96 00:04:20,961 --> 00:04:22,561 More young people are earning college 97 00:04:22,561 --> 00:04:23,931 degrees than ever before. 98 00:04:23,928 --> 00:04:24,928 (applause) 99 00:04:24,928 --> 00:04:25,928 We've made progress 100 00:04:25,928 --> 00:04:26,928 and we've taken action. 101 00:04:26,928 --> 00:04:31,098 But we also know our work is unfinished. 102 00:04:33,361 --> 00:04:35,531 Too many Americans working harder than ever 103 00:04:35,528 --> 00:04:37,828 just to get by. 104 00:04:37,828 --> 00:04:39,898 Too many Americans who aren't working at all. 105 00:04:42,161 --> 00:04:45,231 We know we have to do more to restore America's 106 00:04:45,227 --> 00:04:49,097 promise of opportunity for all people, 107 00:04:49,094 --> 00:04:52,494 particularly for communities hardest hit by the recession; 108 00:04:52,494 --> 00:04:54,664 particularly for those who struggled since long 109 00:04:54,661 --> 00:04:58,491 before the recession -- not only African Americans 110 00:04:58,494 --> 00:05:01,024 and Latinos, but Americans trapped across 111 00:05:01,027 --> 00:05:03,227 the country in pockets of poverty -- 112 00:05:03,227 --> 00:05:04,627 inner city, suburban, rural. 113 00:05:04,628 --> 00:05:10,358 And we know what opportunity means. 114 00:05:10,361 --> 00:05:12,061 Opportunity means more good jobs 115 00:05:12,061 --> 00:05:14,391 that pay good wages. 116 00:05:14,394 --> 00:05:17,994 Opportunity means training folks for those jobs. 117 00:05:17,994 --> 00:05:20,464 Opportunity means changing the odds for all of our 118 00:05:20,461 --> 00:05:25,091 children through Pre-K, something Mayor de Blasio 119 00:05:25,094 --> 00:05:29,694 is fighting for here in New York City. 120 00:05:29,695 --> 00:05:30,695 (applause) 121 00:05:30,695 --> 00:05:31,865 And opportunity means affordable higher 122 00:05:31,861 --> 00:05:36,991 education for all who are willing to work for it. 123 00:05:36,994 --> 00:05:39,294 Opportunity means answering the call 124 00:05:39,294 --> 00:05:41,564 to be My Brother's Keeper and helping more boys and 125 00:05:41,561 --> 00:05:43,591 young men of color stay on track 126 00:05:43,594 --> 00:05:45,424 and reach their full potential. 127 00:05:45,428 --> 00:05:47,158 (applause) 128 00:05:47,161 --> 00:05:50,361 Before I came out, I was in a photo 129 00:05:50,361 --> 00:05:52,761 line, saw my good friend, Freddie Haynes, 130 00:05:52,761 --> 00:05:56,461 a great pastor from the great state of Texas. 131 00:05:56,461 --> 00:05:58,661 And he told me this summer they're going to hire 132 00:05:58,661 --> 00:06:06,091 100 young men, pay them $10.10 an hour -- maybe $10.50 -- 133 00:06:06,294 --> 00:06:08,194 (applause) 134 00:06:08,194 --> 00:06:09,794 -- as a consequence of this call. 135 00:06:09,795 --> 00:06:11,795 And the point is, is that My Brother's Keeper, 136 00:06:11,795 --> 00:06:13,565 that's not just something I do, 137 00:06:13,561 --> 00:06:14,991 that's not just something the government does. 138 00:06:14,994 --> 00:06:16,994 That's something everybody can participate in, 139 00:06:19,328 --> 00:06:23,228 because we know these young men need support. 140 00:06:23,227 --> 00:06:25,457 Opportunity means making the minimum wage 141 00:06:25,461 --> 00:06:27,531 a wage you can live on. 142 00:06:27,528 --> 00:06:29,358 It means equal pay for equal work. 143 00:06:29,361 --> 00:06:30,361 (applause) 144 00:06:30,361 --> 00:06:31,731 It means overtime pay for workers 145 00:06:31,728 --> 00:06:32,958 who have earned it. 146 00:06:32,961 --> 00:06:35,031 It means continuing to extend the right 147 00:06:35,027 --> 00:06:37,297 of quality, affordable health care for every American 148 00:06:37,294 --> 00:06:40,464 in every state, because we've got some states 149 00:06:40,461 --> 00:06:42,461 that aren't doing the right thing. 150 00:06:45,661 --> 00:06:50,031 We have states who just out of political spite 151 00:06:50,027 --> 00:06:54,527 are leaving millions of people uninsured that could 152 00:06:54,528 --> 00:06:56,528 be getting health insurance right now. 153 00:06:59,628 --> 00:07:01,298 No good reason for it. 154 00:07:01,294 --> 00:07:03,694 If you ask them what's the explanation they 155 00:07:03,695 --> 00:07:05,695 can't really tell you. 156 00:07:08,561 --> 00:07:10,391 And, by the way, making sure our citizens have the 157 00:07:10,394 --> 00:07:13,394 opportunity to lead healthy lives also means 158 00:07:13,394 --> 00:07:15,564 dealing with things like the dangerous carbon 159 00:07:15,561 --> 00:07:17,661 pollution that's disproportionately 160 00:07:17,661 --> 00:07:21,561 affecting low-income communities. 161 00:07:21,561 --> 00:07:24,531 It means making sure that our young people are 162 00:07:24,528 --> 00:07:27,228 eating right, so listen to Michelle. 163 00:07:27,227 --> 00:07:30,127 (laughter) 164 00:07:30,127 --> 00:07:30,657 I'm just saying. 165 00:07:36,861 --> 00:07:39,391 So we know we've got more work to do to bridge the 166 00:07:39,394 --> 00:07:43,264 gap between our founding ideals and the realities 167 00:07:43,261 --> 00:07:44,261 of our time. 168 00:07:44,261 --> 00:07:48,191 And the question then becomes, well, 169 00:07:48,194 --> 00:07:52,024 how do we actually make these changes? 170 00:07:54,561 --> 00:07:55,561 How does it happen? 171 00:07:55,561 --> 00:07:56,991 How do we get a minimum wage bill passed? 172 00:07:56,994 --> 00:08:01,564 How do we make sure that those states that 173 00:08:01,561 --> 00:08:04,261 aren't yet implementing the Affordable Care Act 174 00:08:04,261 --> 00:08:06,261 actually are doing right by their citizens? 175 00:08:08,294 --> 00:08:10,364 It means being vigilant. 176 00:08:10,361 --> 00:08:12,061 We've got to be vigilant to secure the gains 177 00:08:12,061 --> 00:08:14,831 we've made, but also to make more gains in the future. 178 00:08:17,961 --> 00:08:20,531 And that's the meaning of these last 50 years 179 00:08:20,528 --> 00:08:22,528 since the Civil Rights Act was passed. 180 00:08:25,728 --> 00:08:27,758 Because across the country right now there 181 00:08:27,761 --> 00:08:30,531 are well-organized and well-funded efforts 182 00:08:30,528 --> 00:08:32,528 to undo these gains. 183 00:08:34,061 --> 00:08:36,491 And one of those gains is under particular assault 184 00:08:36,494 --> 00:08:38,794 right now, and that's what I want to spend 185 00:08:38,795 --> 00:08:42,295 the rest of my time here talking about. 186 00:08:42,294 --> 00:08:45,224 Just as inequality feeds on injustice, 187 00:08:45,227 --> 00:08:46,757 opportunity requires justice. 188 00:08:46,761 --> 00:08:48,591 And justice requires the right to vote. 189 00:08:48,594 --> 00:08:55,364 (applause) 190 00:08:55,361 --> 00:08:56,691 President Johnson, right after 191 00:08:56,695 --> 00:08:58,665 he signed the Civil Rights Act into law, 192 00:08:58,661 --> 00:09:01,861 told his advisors -- some of whom were telling him, well, 193 00:09:01,861 --> 00:09:02,861 all right, just wait. 194 00:09:02,861 --> 00:09:03,891 You've done a big thing now; 195 00:09:03,895 --> 00:09:06,065 let's let the dust settle, don't stir folks up. 196 00:09:06,061 --> 00:09:08,061 He said, no, no, I can't wait. 197 00:09:10,227 --> 00:09:11,897 We've got to press forward and pass 198 00:09:11,895 --> 00:09:13,895 the Voting Rights Act. 199 00:09:15,895 --> 00:09:18,765 Johnson said, "About this there can and should 200 00:09:18,761 --> 00:09:20,391 be no argument. 201 00:09:20,394 --> 00:09:22,064 Every American citizen must have 202 00:09:22,061 --> 00:09:23,761 an equal right to vote." 203 00:09:23,761 --> 00:09:30,931 (applause) 204 00:09:30,928 --> 00:09:33,098 Voting is a time when 205 00:09:33,094 --> 00:09:37,424 we all have an equal say -- black or white, rich or poor, 206 00:09:37,428 --> 00:09:38,428 man or woman. 207 00:09:38,428 --> 00:09:42,198 It doesn't matter. 208 00:09:42,194 --> 00:09:45,724 In the eyes of the law and in the eyes 209 00:09:45,728 --> 00:09:49,628 of our democracy, we're all supposed to have 210 00:09:49,628 --> 00:09:52,398 that equal right to cast our ballot to help 211 00:09:52,394 --> 00:09:54,394 determine the direction of our society. 212 00:09:56,294 --> 00:09:59,024 The principle of one person, one vote 213 00:09:59,027 --> 00:10:02,157 is the single greatest tool we have to redress 214 00:10:02,161 --> 00:10:05,091 an unjust status quo. 215 00:10:05,094 --> 00:10:06,794 You would think there would not be an argument 216 00:10:06,795 --> 00:10:08,795 about this anymore. 217 00:10:11,094 --> 00:10:14,194 But the stark, simple truth is this: 218 00:10:14,194 --> 00:10:17,464 The right to vote is threatened today in a way that 219 00:10:17,461 --> 00:10:20,161 it has not been since the Voting Rights Act became law 220 00:10:20,161 --> 00:10:22,161 nearly five decades ago. 221 00:10:24,161 --> 00:10:26,931 Across the country, Republicans have led 222 00:10:26,928 --> 00:10:30,258 efforts to pass laws making it harder, 223 00:10:30,261 --> 00:10:32,261 not easier, for people to vote. 224 00:10:34,027 --> 00:10:36,997 In some places, women could be turned away 225 00:10:36,994 --> 00:10:39,794 from the polls just because they're registered under 226 00:10:39,795 --> 00:10:41,895 their maiden name but their driver's license 227 00:10:41,895 --> 00:10:45,195 has their married name. 228 00:10:45,194 --> 00:10:48,764 Senior citizens who have been voting for decades 229 00:10:48,761 --> 00:10:51,091 may suddenly be told they can no longer vote until 230 00:10:51,094 --> 00:10:53,094 they can come up with the right ID. 231 00:10:54,961 --> 00:10:57,231 In other places, folks may learn that without 232 00:10:57,227 --> 00:10:59,797 a document like a passport or a birth certificate, 233 00:10:59,795 --> 00:11:00,925 they can't register. 234 00:11:00,928 --> 00:11:02,458 About 60 percent of Americans 235 00:11:02,461 --> 00:11:03,531 don't have a passport. 236 00:11:03,528 --> 00:11:06,628 Just because you don't have the money to travel 237 00:11:06,628 --> 00:11:08,358 abroad doesn't mean you shouldn't be able 238 00:11:08,361 --> 00:11:09,491 to vote here at home. 239 00:11:09,494 --> 00:11:16,724 (applause) 240 00:11:16,728 --> 00:11:18,028 And just to be clear, I know where my 241 00:11:18,027 --> 00:11:20,027 birth certificate is, but a lot of people don't. 242 00:11:20,027 --> 00:11:22,027 (laughter) 243 00:11:22,027 --> 00:11:22,827 A lot of people don't. 244 00:11:22,828 --> 00:11:30,128 (applause) 245 00:11:30,127 --> 00:11:30,697 I think it's still 246 00:11:30,695 --> 00:11:31,595 up on a website somewhere. 247 00:11:31,594 --> 00:11:40,664 (laughter) 248 00:11:40,661 --> 00:11:41,431 You remember that? 249 00:11:41,428 --> 00:11:43,798 That was crazy. 250 00:11:43,795 --> 00:11:45,625 That was some crazy stuff. 251 00:11:45,628 --> 00:11:53,058 (laughter and applause) 252 00:11:53,061 --> 00:11:54,331 I hadn't thought about that 253 00:11:54,328 --> 00:11:54,858 in a while. 254 00:11:54,861 --> 00:12:06,661 (laughter) 255 00:12:06,661 --> 00:12:08,191 Now, I want to be clear -- 256 00:12:08,194 --> 00:12:11,064 I am not against reasonable attempts 257 00:12:11,061 --> 00:12:12,231 to secure the ballot. 258 00:12:12,227 --> 00:12:15,627 We understand that there has to be rules in place. 259 00:12:18,461 --> 00:12:22,531 But I am against requiring an ID that millions 260 00:12:22,528 --> 00:12:24,528 of Americans don't have. 261 00:12:26,294 --> 00:12:27,424 That shouldn't suddenly prevent 262 00:12:27,428 --> 00:12:31,128 you from exercising your right to vote. 263 00:12:31,127 --> 00:12:34,097 (applause) 264 00:12:34,094 --> 00:12:36,464 The first words put to paper 265 00:12:36,461 --> 00:12:38,361 in our American story tell us that 266 00:12:38,361 --> 00:12:40,031 all of us are created equal. 267 00:12:40,027 --> 00:12:43,827 And we understand that it took a long time to make 268 00:12:43,828 --> 00:12:46,628 sure that those words meant something. 269 00:12:46,628 --> 00:12:52,728 But 50 years ago, we put laws in place, 270 00:12:52,728 --> 00:12:58,698 because of enormous struggles, to vindicate that idea; 271 00:13:01,227 --> 00:13:06,257 to make our democracy truly mean something. 272 00:13:06,261 --> 00:13:08,231 And that makes it wrong to pass laws that make 273 00:13:08,227 --> 00:13:11,127 it harder for any eligible citizen to vote, 274 00:13:11,127 --> 00:13:14,627 especially because every citizen doesn't 275 00:13:14,628 --> 00:13:16,098 just have the right to vote, they have 276 00:13:16,094 --> 00:13:17,424 a responsibility to vote. 277 00:13:17,428 --> 00:13:22,428 (applause) 278 00:13:22,428 --> 00:13:23,858 So, yes, we're right 279 00:13:23,861 --> 00:13:26,031 to be on guard against voter fraud. 280 00:13:26,027 --> 00:13:28,857 Voter fraud would impinge on our democracy, as well. 281 00:13:28,861 --> 00:13:32,161 We don't want folks voting that shouldn't be voting. 282 00:13:32,161 --> 00:13:33,161 We all agree on that. 283 00:13:33,161 --> 00:13:35,491 Let's stipulate to that, as the lawyers say. 284 00:13:38,428 --> 00:13:40,598 But there's a reason why those who argue 285 00:13:40,594 --> 00:13:45,594 that harsh restrictions on voting are somehow necessary 286 00:13:45,594 --> 00:13:49,064 to fight voter fraud are having such a hard time proving 287 00:13:49,061 --> 00:13:51,461 any real, widespread fraud. 288 00:13:51,461 --> 00:13:55,031 So I just want to give you some statistics. 289 00:13:55,027 --> 00:13:58,657 One recent study found only 10 cases 290 00:13:58,661 --> 00:14:01,291 of alleged in-person voter impersonation 291 00:14:01,294 --> 00:14:05,364 in 12 years -- 10 cases. 292 00:14:05,361 --> 00:14:09,561 Another analysis found that out of 197 million 293 00:14:09,561 --> 00:14:12,061 votes cast for federal elections between 2002 294 00:14:12,061 --> 00:14:19,831 and 2005, only 40 voters -- out of 197 million -- 295 00:14:19,828 --> 00:14:20,728 were indicted for fraud. 296 00:14:24,027 --> 00:14:27,497 Now, for those of you who are math majors, 297 00:14:27,494 --> 00:14:33,594 as a percentage, that is 0.00002 percent. 298 00:14:33,594 --> 00:14:39,394 (laughter) 299 00:14:39,394 --> 00:14:43,194 That's not a lot. 300 00:14:43,194 --> 00:14:45,794 So let's be clear -- the real voter fraud is people 301 00:14:45,795 --> 00:14:48,425 who try to deny our rights by making bogus arguments 302 00:14:48,428 --> 00:14:49,058 about voter fraud. 303 00:14:49,061 --> 00:14:57,631 (applause) 304 00:14:57,628 --> 00:14:58,698 And I have to say, there have been -- 305 00:14:58,695 --> 00:15:00,365 some of these officials who have been passing 306 00:15:00,361 --> 00:15:02,361 these laws have been more blunt. 307 00:15:02,361 --> 00:15:03,331 They said, this is going to be good 308 00:15:03,328 --> 00:15:07,158 for the Republican Party. 309 00:15:07,161 --> 00:15:12,061 Some of them have not been shy about saying that 310 00:15:12,061 --> 00:15:14,561 they're doing this for partisan reasons. 311 00:15:14,561 --> 00:15:20,031 "It is wrong," President Johnson said, "deadly 312 00:15:20,027 --> 00:15:23,197 wrong, to deny any of your fellow Americans 313 00:15:23,194 --> 00:15:25,494 the right to vote in this country." 314 00:15:25,494 --> 00:15:27,194 It is wrong to change our election rules 315 00:15:27,194 --> 00:15:28,324 just because of politics. 316 00:15:28,328 --> 00:15:30,898 It is wrong to make citizens wait for five, 317 00:15:30,895 --> 00:15:32,825 six, seven hours just to vote. 318 00:15:32,828 --> 00:15:34,428 It is wrong to make a senior citizen 319 00:15:34,428 --> 00:15:37,658 who no longer has a driver's license jump through hoops 320 00:15:37,661 --> 00:15:39,991 and have to pay money just to exercise 321 00:15:39,994 --> 00:15:42,524 the rights she has cherished for a lifetime. 322 00:15:42,528 --> 00:15:44,758 America did not stand up and did not march 323 00:15:44,761 --> 00:15:46,991 and did not sacrifice to gain the right to vote 324 00:15:46,994 --> 00:15:49,964 for themselves and for others only to see it denied 325 00:15:49,961 --> 00:15:51,861 to their kids and their grandchildren. 326 00:15:51,861 --> 00:15:53,231 We've got to pay attention to this. 327 00:15:53,661 --> 00:16:01,931 (applause) 328 00:16:01,928 --> 00:16:04,528 Some of the folks from Chicago know -- 329 00:16:04,528 --> 00:16:05,998 Crider knows -- one 330 00:16:05,994 --> 00:16:06,994 of the first jobs I had 331 00:16:06,994 --> 00:16:09,264 out of law school was to lead a voter registration 332 00:16:09,261 --> 00:16:11,561 drive in my home state of Illinois. 333 00:16:11,561 --> 00:16:18,291 We registered more than 150,000 new voters. 334 00:16:18,294 --> 00:16:20,924 And as an organizer, I got to help other citizens 335 00:16:20,928 --> 00:16:22,428 exercise their most cherished 336 00:16:22,428 --> 00:16:23,428 and fundamental rights. 337 00:16:23,428 --> 00:16:24,428 That mattered to me. 338 00:16:24,428 --> 00:16:28,858 And as President, I'm not going to let attacks 339 00:16:28,861 --> 00:16:31,261 on these rights go unchallenged. 340 00:16:31,261 --> 00:16:32,431 We're not going to let voter 341 00:16:32,428 --> 00:16:34,158 suppression go unchallenged. 342 00:16:34,161 --> 00:16:35,161 (applause) 343 00:16:35,161 --> 00:16:36,891 So earlier this week, you heard from the 344 00:16:36,895 --> 00:16:39,065 Attorney General -- and there's a reason the 345 00:16:39,061 --> 00:16:41,461 agency he runs is called the Department of Justice. 346 00:16:41,461 --> 00:16:44,261 (applause) 347 00:16:44,261 --> 00:16:46,761 They've taken on more than 100 voting 348 00:16:46,761 --> 00:16:49,331 rights cases since 2009, and they've defended the 349 00:16:49,328 --> 00:16:51,558 rights of everybody from African Americans 350 00:16:51,561 --> 00:16:54,161 to Spanish speakers to soldiers serving overseas. 351 00:16:54,161 --> 00:16:56,261 (applause) 352 00:16:56,261 --> 00:16:58,661 Earlier this year, a bipartisan 353 00:16:58,661 --> 00:17:01,631 commission I appointed chaired by my election 354 00:17:01,628 --> 00:17:03,828 lawyer and Mitt Romney's election lawyer came 355 00:17:03,828 --> 00:17:08,058 up with a series of modern -- or common-sense reforms 356 00:17:08,061 --> 00:17:11,031 to modernize voter registration, and to curb 357 00:17:11,027 --> 00:17:15,557 the potential for fraud in smart way, and ensure that 358 00:17:15,561 --> 00:17:17,031 no one has to wait for more than half 359 00:17:17,027 --> 00:17:19,027 an hour to cast a ballot. 360 00:17:19,027 --> 00:17:21,127 States and local election boards should take up 361 00:17:21,127 --> 00:17:23,397 those recommendations. 362 00:17:23,394 --> 00:17:25,164 And with the 50th anniversary of Freedom 363 00:17:25,161 --> 00:17:27,731 Summer almost upon us, I urge members of Congress 364 00:17:27,728 --> 00:17:30,658 to honor those who gave their lives so that others 365 00:17:30,661 --> 00:17:32,631 could exercise their rights, 366 00:17:32,628 --> 00:17:34,658 and update the Voting Rights Act. 367 00:17:34,661 --> 00:17:36,461 Go ahead and get that done. 368 00:17:36,461 --> 00:17:37,461 (applause) 369 00:17:37,461 --> 00:17:38,461 Do it because the right 370 00:17:38,461 --> 00:17:40,461 to vote is something cherished by every American. 371 00:17:44,561 --> 00:17:46,431 We should not be having an argument about this. 372 00:17:46,428 --> 00:17:50,058 There are a lot of things we can argue about, 373 00:17:50,061 --> 00:17:50,961 but the right to vote? 374 00:17:54,661 --> 00:17:55,661 I mean, what kind of political 375 00:17:55,661 --> 00:17:56,661 platform is that? 376 00:17:56,661 --> 00:17:58,691 (laughter) 377 00:17:58,695 --> 00:18:01,625 Why would you make that a part 378 00:18:01,628 --> 00:18:05,898 of your agenda, preventing people from voting? 379 00:18:05,895 --> 00:18:08,765 How can you defend that? 380 00:18:08,761 --> 00:18:10,261 There are a whole bunch of folks out there 381 00:18:10,261 --> 00:18:14,291 who don't vote for me; didn't vote for me, 382 00:18:14,294 --> 00:18:16,464 don't like what I do. 383 00:18:16,461 --> 00:18:18,961 The idea that I would prevent them from voting 384 00:18:18,961 --> 00:18:23,861 and exercising their franchise makes no sense. 385 00:18:27,294 --> 00:18:30,024 Black or white, man or woman, urban, rural, rich, 386 00:18:30,027 --> 00:18:36,797 poor, Native American, disabled, gay, straight, 387 00:18:36,795 --> 00:18:38,965 Republican or Democrat -- voters who want 388 00:18:38,961 --> 00:18:40,031 to vote should be able to vote. 389 00:18:40,027 --> 00:18:41,027 Period. 390 00:18:41,027 --> 00:18:42,027 Full stop. 391 00:18:42,027 --> 00:18:43,027 (applause) 392 00:18:43,027 --> 00:18:44,257 Voting is not a Democratic issue, it's not 393 00:18:44,261 --> 00:18:45,291 a Republican issue. 394 00:18:45,294 --> 00:18:46,324 It's an issue of citizenship. 395 00:18:46,328 --> 00:18:49,298 (applause) 396 00:18:49,294 --> 00:18:53,764 It's what makes our democracy strong. 397 00:18:53,761 --> 00:18:56,231 But it's a fact this recent effort to restrict 398 00:18:56,227 --> 00:19:00,727 the vote has not been led by both parties -- 399 00:19:00,728 --> 00:19:05,298 it's been led by the Republican Party. 400 00:19:05,294 --> 00:19:07,064 And in fairness, it's not just Democrats 401 00:19:07,061 --> 00:19:08,091 who are concerned. 402 00:19:08,094 --> 00:19:11,464 You had one Republican state legislator point out 403 00:19:11,461 --> 00:19:13,491 -- and I'm quoting here -- "Making it more difficult 404 00:19:13,494 --> 00:19:15,264 for people to vote is not a good sign for 405 00:19:15,261 --> 00:19:17,091 a party that wants to attract more people." 406 00:19:17,094 --> 00:19:20,794 (laughter) 407 00:19:20,795 --> 00:19:21,525 That was a pretty -- 408 00:19:21,528 --> 00:19:22,428 that's a good insight. 409 00:19:22,428 --> 00:19:28,128 (laughter) 410 00:19:28,127 --> 00:19:28,527 Right? 411 00:19:31,961 --> 00:19:34,891 I want a competitive Republican Party, 412 00:19:34,895 --> 00:19:36,725 just like a competitive Democratic Party. 413 00:19:36,728 --> 00:19:37,858 That's how our democracy is supposed to work -- 414 00:19:37,861 --> 00:19:40,861 the competition of ideas. 415 00:19:40,861 --> 00:19:44,431 But I don't want folks changing the rules 416 00:19:44,428 --> 00:19:47,958 to try to restrict people's access to the ballot. 417 00:19:47,961 --> 00:19:49,931 And I think responsible people, 418 00:19:49,928 --> 00:19:51,428 regardless of your party affiliation, 419 00:19:51,428 --> 00:19:52,758 should agree with that. 420 00:19:52,761 --> 00:19:55,161 If your strategy depends on having fewer people 421 00:19:55,161 --> 00:19:58,131 show up to vote, that's not a sign of strength, 422 00:19:58,127 --> 00:20:05,557 that's a sign of weakness. 423 00:20:05,561 --> 00:20:07,131 (applause) 424 00:20:07,127 --> 00:20:08,257 And not only 425 00:20:08,261 --> 00:20:12,391 is it ultimately bad politics. 426 00:20:12,394 --> 00:20:15,824 I believe ultimately it harms the entire country. 427 00:20:15,828 --> 00:20:18,258 If voting is denied to the many, we risk ending up 428 00:20:18,261 --> 00:20:20,431 stuck year after year with special interest 429 00:20:20,428 --> 00:20:23,028 policies that benefit a fortunate few. 430 00:20:23,027 --> 00:20:26,857 And injustice perpetuates inequality. 431 00:20:26,861 --> 00:20:29,131 But remember, just as injustice perpetuates 432 00:20:29,127 --> 00:20:32,997 inequality, justice opens up opportunity. 433 00:20:32,994 --> 00:20:35,894 And as infuriating as efforts to roll back 434 00:20:35,895 --> 00:20:38,895 hard-earned rights can be, the trajectory 435 00:20:38,895 --> 00:20:42,665 of our history has to give us hope. 436 00:20:42,661 --> 00:20:45,731 The story of America is a story of progress. 437 00:20:45,728 --> 00:20:48,158 No matter how often or how intensely that progress 438 00:20:48,161 --> 00:20:49,831 has been challenged, ultimately 439 00:20:49,828 --> 00:20:52,598 this nation has moved forward. 440 00:20:52,594 --> 00:20:55,094 As Dr. King said, "The arc of the moral universe 441 00:20:55,094 --> 00:20:59,264 is long, (but) it bends towards justice." 442 00:20:59,261 --> 00:21:01,361 We move forward on civil rights and we move 443 00:21:01,361 --> 00:21:04,561 forward on workers' rights, and we move forward on women's 444 00:21:04,561 --> 00:21:06,761 rights and disability rights and gay rights. 445 00:21:06,761 --> 00:21:09,261 We show that when ordinary citizens come together 446 00:21:09,261 --> 00:21:11,161 to participate in this democracy we love, 447 00:21:11,161 --> 00:21:12,591 justice will not be denied. 448 00:21:12,594 --> 00:21:19,564 (applause) 449 00:21:19,561 --> 00:21:21,061 So the single most important thing 450 00:21:21,061 --> 00:21:25,031 we can do to protect our right to vote is to vote. 451 00:21:25,027 --> 00:21:27,127 (applause) 452 00:21:27,127 --> 00:21:29,657 So I'm going to make 453 00:21:29,661 --> 00:21:30,661 one last point here. 454 00:21:30,661 --> 00:21:35,791 We're going to have an attorney general that 455 00:21:35,795 --> 00:21:37,525 looks at all the laws that are being passed. 456 00:21:37,528 --> 00:21:41,858 We're going to have civic organizations that 457 00:21:41,861 --> 00:21:46,361 are making sure that state laws and local laws 458 00:21:46,361 --> 00:21:48,591 are doing what they're supposed to do. 459 00:21:48,594 --> 00:21:52,094 We will fight back whenever we see unfairly 460 00:21:52,094 --> 00:21:54,524 the franchise being challenged. 461 00:21:54,528 --> 00:21:57,158 But the truth is that for all these laws that 462 00:21:57,161 --> 00:22:00,361 are being put in place, the biggest problem we have 463 00:22:00,361 --> 00:22:05,191 is people giving up their own power -- 464 00:22:05,194 --> 00:22:07,524 voluntarily not participating. 465 00:22:11,061 --> 00:22:13,531 The number of people who voluntarily don't vote, 466 00:22:13,528 --> 00:22:18,158 who are eligible to vote, dwarfs whatever these laws 467 00:22:18,161 --> 00:22:21,761 are put in place might do in terms 468 00:22:21,761 --> 00:22:25,961 of diminishing the voting roles. 469 00:22:25,961 --> 00:22:29,391 So we can't treat these new barriers as an excuse 470 00:22:29,394 --> 00:22:31,864 not to participate. 471 00:22:31,861 --> 00:22:33,631 We can't use cynicism as an excuse 472 00:22:33,628 --> 00:22:34,628 not to participate. 473 00:22:34,628 --> 00:22:36,098 Sometimes I hear people saying, well, 474 00:22:36,094 --> 00:22:41,264 we haven't gotten everything we need -- we still have poverty, 475 00:22:41,261 --> 00:22:42,361 we still have problems. 476 00:22:42,361 --> 00:22:45,191 Of course. 477 00:22:45,194 --> 00:22:46,894 These things didn't happen overnight. 478 00:22:46,895 --> 00:22:50,365 When I was down in Texas, everybody was celebrating 479 00:22:50,361 --> 00:22:51,831 the day that the Civil Rights Law 480 00:22:51,828 --> 00:22:54,098 was finally passed. 481 00:22:54,094 --> 00:22:56,594 Remember there were decades in which 482 00:22:56,594 --> 00:22:58,424 people sacrificed and worked hard. 483 00:22:58,428 --> 00:23:02,598 (applause) 484 00:23:02,594 --> 00:23:04,224 Change doesn't happen overnight, 485 00:23:04,227 --> 00:23:08,827 but it happens as long as we don't purposely 486 00:23:08,828 --> 00:23:11,498 give our power away. 487 00:23:11,494 --> 00:23:14,394 Every obstacle put in our path should remind 488 00:23:14,394 --> 00:23:17,394 us of the power we hold in our hands each time we pull 489 00:23:17,394 --> 00:23:21,324 that lever or fill in that oval or touch that screen. 490 00:23:21,328 --> 00:23:23,458 We just have to harness that power. 491 00:23:23,461 --> 00:23:25,691 We've got to create a national network committed 492 00:23:25,695 --> 00:23:26,665 to taking action. 493 00:23:26,661 --> 00:23:28,631 We can call it the National Action Network. 494 00:23:28,628 --> 00:23:29,898 (applause) 495 00:23:29,895 --> 00:23:31,965 So I want you to go out there 496 00:23:31,961 --> 00:23:33,861 and redouble your efforts. 497 00:23:33,861 --> 00:23:35,661 Register more voters. 498 00:23:35,661 --> 00:23:38,231 Help more folks to get their rights. 499 00:23:38,227 --> 00:23:39,557 Get those souls to the polls. 500 00:23:39,561 --> 00:23:41,961 If they won't let you do it on Sunday, then do it 501 00:23:41,961 --> 00:23:43,561 on a Tuesday instead. 502 00:23:43,561 --> 00:23:52,131 (applause) 503 00:23:52,127 --> 00:23:54,127 I know it's better going to the polls 504 00:23:54,127 --> 00:23:56,527 on Sunday because you go to church, 505 00:23:56,528 --> 00:23:57,628 you get a little meal. 506 00:23:57,628 --> 00:23:59,358 (laughter) 507 00:23:59,361 --> 00:24:03,161 You got the bus waiting for you. 508 00:24:03,161 --> 00:24:04,161 I understand. 509 00:24:04,161 --> 00:24:06,591 But you can do it without that if we have to. 510 00:24:09,061 --> 00:24:10,561 We're at a time when we're marking many 511 00:24:10,561 --> 00:24:11,561 anniversaries. 512 00:24:11,561 --> 00:24:14,461 And it's interesting for me -- I've been on this 513 00:24:14,461 --> 00:24:19,691 Earth 52 years, and so to see the progress 514 00:24:19,695 --> 00:24:24,325 we've made is to see my own life and the progression 515 00:24:24,328 --> 00:24:25,558 that's happened. 516 00:24:25,561 --> 00:24:27,031 You think about Brown v. Board 517 00:24:27,027 --> 00:24:28,657 of Education, and the Civil Rights Act, 518 00:24:28,661 --> 00:24:30,731 and the Voting Rights Act, and Freedom Summer. 519 00:24:30,728 --> 00:24:33,428 And with those anniversaries, we have new 520 00:24:33,428 --> 00:24:35,928 reason to remember those who made it possible 521 00:24:35,928 --> 00:24:38,198 for us to be here. 522 00:24:38,194 --> 00:24:39,724 Like the three civil rights workers in 523 00:24:39,728 --> 00:24:42,258 Mississippi -- two white, one black -- 524 00:24:42,261 --> 00:24:44,891 who were murdered 50 years ago as they tried to help their 525 00:24:44,895 --> 00:24:48,195 fellow citizens register to vote. 526 00:24:48,194 --> 00:24:50,794 James Chaney and Andrew Goodman 527 00:24:50,795 --> 00:24:53,795 and Michael Schwerner believed so strongly that change 528 00:24:53,795 --> 00:24:55,465 was possible they were willing to lay down 529 00:24:55,461 --> 00:24:56,891 their lives for it. 530 00:24:56,895 --> 00:25:00,065 The least you can do is take them up on the gift 531 00:25:00,061 --> 00:25:01,091 that they have given you. 532 00:25:01,094 --> 00:25:02,094 (applause) 533 00:25:02,094 --> 00:25:04,124 Go out there and vote. 534 00:25:06,394 --> 00:25:08,994 You can make a change. 535 00:25:08,994 --> 00:25:11,624 You do have the power. 536 00:25:11,628 --> 00:25:15,258 I've run my last election, but I need you to make 537 00:25:15,261 --> 00:25:18,891 sure that the changes that we started continue 538 00:25:18,895 --> 00:25:20,025 for decades to come. 539 00:25:20,027 --> 00:25:21,657 Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America. 540 00:25:21,661 --> 00:25:22,631 (applause)