Published on Jun 16, 2020
WASHINGTON — A powerhouse lineup of artists, activists, influencers and elected officials will kick off Democracy Summer 2020, the effort led by Rock the Vote in partnership with Voto Latino Foundation, When We All Vote, March For Our Lives and many more, to register and mobilize 200,000 new voters over the summer, at a virtual event on Thursday, June 18th.
In a mix of performances and messages, Katy Perry and Black Eyed Peas will co-headline the kickoff alongside Big Freedia, Lucy Hale, Ne-Yo, Saweetie, Amara La Negra, MAX, Dove Cameron, Leslie Grace, Skylar Astin, Sofia Carson, Michael K. Williams, Rich Brian and Alex Wolff. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Cory Booker and Sec. Julian Castro will make appearances as will activists including Little Miss Flint, Dominic Dupont, Greg Jackson, Kyra Stephenson-Valley, Tylik McMillan and others.
Actors Rosario Dawson and Logan Browning will co-host with special guests Rapper Chuck D (of Public Enemy) and Eve to anchor the evening special, which will stream live at www.DemocracySummer.org beginning at 8:00pm ET / 5:00pm PT.
"This is no ordinary year,” said Carolyn DeWitt, president of Rock the Vote. “Rock the Vote was built to support young people and in this moment when young people are showing their power and demanding action, we are honored to launch Democracy Summer. Artists, influencers, elected officials and activists are joining together to help sustain the fire lit by America's youth and build a movement to the polls to elect leaders who will take action."
The Democracy Summer 2020 kickoff comes in the midst of young people taking to the streets in support of Black Lives Matter following the murder of George Floyd. The event will highlight the importance of supporting Black Lives and young people’s incredible power to organize and create change. More than 4-million young people turn 18 this year and will be eligible to vote for the first time.
During the livestream funds will be raised for Black-led and focused organizations like the National Action Network, Community Justice Action Fund, and others.
88 Rising, The Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values, APIA Vote, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Brady Community Justice Action Fund, Drag Out the Vote, Emerge America, Fair Fight Action, Generation Progress, Get Lit, IGNITE, The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights, Mississippi Votes, Muslim Public Affairs Council, National Action Network, National Coalition Black Civic Participation, National Congress of American Indians, and People For the American Way are joining the vast Democracy Summer 2020 coalition, which in addition to Rock the Vote, Voto Latino Foundation, When We All Vote and March For Our Lives also includes; ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, American Constitution Society, The Andrew Goodman Foundation, CIRCLE, Generation Citizen, Music Forward Foundation, National Disability Rights Network, Students Learn Students Vote and Student PIRGS.
Media and promotional partners include Facebook, Youtube, Tixr Play, FaZe Clan, Epic Records, iHeartMedia, Influential and Participant, who will be airing an exclusive clip from their upcoming film featuring Congressman John Lewis ‘John Lewis: Good Trouble’.
A special thanks to partners like Influential, The Krim Group, and the Silver Linings Group who have made this event possible.
Outside of Thursday’s launch, Democracy Summer 2020 will be holding several other activations throughout the summer to mobilize young people to organize their friends and family.
For more information on this effort, text ‘SUMMER’ to 788-683 or visit www.democracysummer.org.
Upon the announcement of the lineup for the kickoff and the new partners of Democracy Summer 2020, several of the participating talent and partner organizations released the following statements:
“I'm excited to be a part of this kickoff to Democracy Summer 2020 with so many amazing talents, activists and speakers. The young people of America are speaking loud and clear on the streets and online, and come November, it will be more important than ever to fight for justice and equality, and against systemic racism, with our ballots.” — Katy Perry
“We’ve been riding with Rock The Vote for a long time. Now more than ever, voting is key for long-term change. The youth vote is going to decide the future of America. It’s not just our duty, but our honor to spread the word in an election year. Get out there and let’s make history together!” — Black Eyed Peas
“I am so excited to be a part of Rock the Vote for Democracy Summer 2020! It’s time for everyone to do their part, no sitting on the sidelines! Our voices are needed and so is our vote! Our future depends on it.” — Eve
"We are seeing the urgency for change in America happening in real time. This is the moment for us to use the most important tool on the planet to fight for that change...our RIGHT to VOTE. Our democracy needs our voices. Voting is the moment to be the voice for injustice and for equality. But most importantly, to be the voice for HUMANITY. We cannot let each other down in the local elections or on November 3rd. To vote, is to Be The Voice for our future." — Ne-Yo
“The young people are engaged. Their voices are loud and getting louder. The world is watching. We need to vote.” — Chuck D
“This year four million young people will be turning 18-years-old. Now if you combine Generation Z with my generation, the Millennials, that makes up nearly 40% of the voting population. Together, that power is undeniable and we can make that change!” — Saweetie
“The diversity of America is what makes it great, and it is also what makes it our country as well! I am Dominican proudly, yet I am a BLACK woman always! I am honored to be amongst the caliber of talent and public figures for the Rock The Vote virtual event on June 18, 2020. I matter! You matter! And together, we will always MATTER!” — Amara La Negra
“I am so honored to be part of Democracy Summer 2020 and the Rock the Vote virtual event! Our country and democracy are at a critical tipping point. Now more than ever we have the opportunity to enact change by combating systemic racism, the climate crisis and the regular assault on our basic human rights as American citizens. We must elect leaders on a local and national level that will fight for the reform that our country needs. We as Gen Z and Millennials make up about 40% of all voters in this country. Our influence, our power, our VOICES are loud. Let’s make them heard!” — Dove Cameron
“I’m proud to join the efforts of Democracy Summer 2020 to remind our youth of the importance of our voices being heard through election. As artists, these are the moments where the influence endowed to us by our art, platforms, and talents have true purpose.” — Leslie Grace
'People are paying attention - they're protesting on the streets and seeking ways to register to vote. That's the energy that we need for November. The summer will gives us time to build this momentum- and what better way to build this with Democracy Summer" — María Teresa Kumar, President and CEO - Voto Latino
“The need for young people to get out and vote has never been more important. We are proud to be working with Rock the Vote in making that need a reality and by using the inspiring, powerful message of Rep. John Lewis to make good trouble.” — David Linde, CEO, Participant
“The Krim Group is thrilled to help produce the Democracy Summer 2020 Kick-Off Concert which is taking place during an especially critical time in our country’s history. It is exciting to see so many artists and entertainers jumping on board and using their platforms to inspire young adults to exercise their right to vote.” — Todd Krim, President & CEO, The Krim Group
“We are thrilled to join Democracy Summer 2020 and help bring awareness to the importance of voting and help elevate Black voices. As leaders in gaming, we have an obligation to combat racism and discrimination of all forms in our community, especially considering the generation of young adults following our influence. Joining Rock The Vote is one of many ways FaZe Clan and our newly formed Diversity Council are taking meaningful actions to demonstrate our commitment to combat social injustice.” — Staci Smith, Leader of FaZe Clan’s Diversity Council and Head of Human Resources.
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