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Harris, Obamas, voting rights leaders work to turn out Black voters in run-up to Election Day

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By Francesca Hangeior.

Concerts and carnivals hosted at polling precincts. “Souls to the Polls” mobilizations after Sunday service.

And star-studded rallies featuring Hollywood actors, business leaders, musical artists and activists.

Such seemingly disparate efforts all have a single goal: boost Black voter turnout ahead of Election Day.

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How Black communities turn out in the 2024 election has been scrutinized due to the pivotal role Black voters have played in races for the White House, Congress and state legislatures across the country.

Vice President Kamala Harris, who if elected would be the second Black president, has made engaging Black voters a priority of her messaging and policy platform.

Meanwhile, former president Donald Trump has sought to make inroads with Democrats’ most consistent voting bloc with unorthodox and at times controversial outreach.

A key strategy in Harris and Democrats’ Black voter outreach includes dispatching the first Black president and his wife, the former first lady, to battleground states where winning may come down to how well the Obamas convince ambivalent or apathetic voters that they must not sit this one out.

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Democratic efforts have ranged from vigorous door-knocking campaigns in Atlanta, Detroit and Philadelphia this weekend to swing state rallies. Michelle Obama rallied voters in Norristown, Pennsylvania on Saturday alongside Grammy award-winning artist Alicia Keys while Barack Obama stumped in Milwaukee on Sunday.

The former first lady also conducted her own scrupulously nonpartisan rally on Tuesday where speakers evoked the South’s Civil Rights history.

“I’m always amazed at how little so many people really understand just how profoundly elections impact our daily lives,” Michelle Obama said. “Because that’s really what your vote is, it is your chance to tell folks in power what you want.”

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Foreign

US Election: Over 77 Million Voters Have Cast Ballots

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Over 77 million ballots have been cast for the November 5 general election in the United States of America.

Fox News reports that early in-person and mail-in ballots have begun pouring in across the country, with the tally in each state revealing mounting voter enthusiasm.

States in the US have long allowed some citizens to vote early, such as members of the military and people with illnesses unable to get to the polls.

In the wake of COVID-19 pandemic during the 2020 presidential election, many states also expanded voting to in-person and mail-in ballots.

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According to the report, recent polling suggests a razor-thin margin in the race between former US President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.

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Israel-Hamas conflict: Death toll reaches 43,341 amid escalating violence

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The Health Ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza reported on Sunday that the death toll in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has reached 43,341.

This figure includes an additional 27 fatalities recorded in the past 24 hours as violence persists.

Since the conflict’s outbreak on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched a surprise assault on Israel, the Gaza Strip has experienced intense hostilities.

According to the Health Ministry, more than 102,105 persons have been wounded as airstrikes and ground operations continue.

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Nigerian-Americans outline conditions for supporting Trump or Harris

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As the U.S. prepares for its November 5, 2024, presidential election, Nigerian-Americans have expressed their intention to support a candidate who prioritizes Nigeria’s interests.

Prominent among those holding this stance is Hon. Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinmma, a former member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, who emphasized that though he is traditionally aligned with the Democratic Party, recent Republican administrations have shown more support for Nigeria.

Agbonayinmma, popularly known as EJ, noted that under former Democratic President Barack Obama, the U.S. declined to sell arms to Nigeria to aid its fight against insurgency. This stance only changed under Republican President Donald Trump, who approved arms sales crucial in Nigeria’s battle against Boko Haram.

Commenting on his preferred candidate, EJ said, “Though I’ve long been a Democrat, I believe Donald J. Trump has the ability to do more for Nigeria than Kamala Harris. Democrats often view us as if we lack agency or vision. Kamala Harris, despite her experience, doesn’t seem prepared to lead America.”

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Agbonayinmma voiced disappointment in the current Democratic administration’s lack of engagement with Nigeria. He remarked, “Despite Nigeria’s significance as Africa’s most populous country, President Joe Biden has not visited Nigeria. Democrats have been slow to support us in combatting insurgency and corruption.”

Reflecting on past Democratic policy, Agbonayinmma recalled, “During Obama’s tenure, Nigerian-Americans advocated tirelessly for him, yet he declined Nigeria’s requests for arms. When our communities in northern Nigeria were under attack by Boko Haram, it was Trump who ultimately approved the purchase of Tucano jets, allowing us to strengthen our defenses.”

Agbonayinmma also criticized Democratic policies that, in his view, erode traditional values. “Morality is being compromised. Children are now exposed to lessons in schools that undermine our values. This isn’t the America we envisioned; it’s not what our forefathers built.”

Hon. Agbonayinmma’s statements reflect the concerns of some Nigerian-Americans who seek a candidate committed to fostering U.S.-Nigeria relations and addressing issues of moral and ethical governance.

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