Singing for Democracy in Hazard

Consolidated Baptist Church will host November 4 event

Rev. Lowell Parker of Consolidated Baptist Church and the Perry County Chapter of Kentuckians For The Commonwealth are pleased to announce Singing for Democracy, a gospel singing to be held on Sunday, November 4th, beginning at 4:00 p.m. at the Consolidated Baptist Church in Hazard.

This celebratory event – to support the restoration of voting rights to former felons who have served their time – will feature gospel performances by the Consolidated Baptist Choir, Rev. Jake Ravazi of Lynch, and others. Everyone is welcome to come join in the singing of hymns of redemption and hear testimony about the restriction of voting rights in Kentucky from prison ministries as well as from those who have been disenfranchised.

“This is a community partnership. It's the first Singing for Democracy in the mountains and we're excited to be a part of it. We at the church are partnering with Kentuckians For The Commonwealth to come together and inform people about their voting rights and the issues of inequality around access to voting,” said Rev. Parker.

An estimated 243,000 Kentuckians (over 1 in 5 voting-age African Americans) in our state is denied the right to vote because of Kentucky's felony disenfranchisement laws – and Kentucky is one of just 4 states where restoring one's right to vote is so difficult. 

Scheduled right before the upcoming election, sponsors hope this event will not only serve to lift up House Bill 70, a proposed constitutional amendment to restore voting rights to nonviolent former felons, but also to remind everyone who can, to exercise their own voting rights at the polls on November 6.

Jenny Williams, a professor of English at Hazard Community and Technical College and KFTC member, is enthusiastic about the event. “Consolidated Baptist Church is an amazingly welcoming church. That spirit of forgiveness and acceptance is what the Voting Rights Amendment is all about, and I'm looking forward to sharing some great music and fellowship with people who share my values. In our churches, our classrooms, our homes and our legislature, we have to forgive our neighbors to move forward together.”

Williams and others at the church are helping to prepare a chili supper that will be served immediately following the event.

The Perry County KFTC chapter meets the third Tuesday of every month on HCTC Tech Campus at 6:00 pm.  Learn more at www.kftc.org.

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