Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry visited West Philadelphia yesterday for the second time in two weeks, speaking to members of the National Black Clergy.
About 200 people attended the event that was held on the First District Plaza at 3801 Market St. Kerry began with a quote from the Bible, telling people that the country needed truth more than ever to face difficult decisions.
"When I volunteered to go to war, I saw that most of the people there were not my classmates from Yale," Kerry said. "They were the people from the inner cities."
He promised that, if elected, he would endeavor to reflect the diversity of the country in his administration, lower interest rates and increase funding for education.
Members of the clergy claim that they are capable of seriously influencing people's thinking, even in the context of the election.
"If the clergy in this country says, 'Get out to the polls and vote for John Kerry,' our people will go," Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus Elijah Cummings told the attendees before Kerry arrived. He added that, even though Al Gore won Philadelphia four years ago, a greater effort was necessary in this election.
Mayor John Street also made an appearance, encouraging pastors to persuade people to vote. He warned of Supreme Court appointments that could set back the rights of black people.
"Our rights are under attack," he said. "We have a job to do. My position is, no ifs, ands or buts about it. No excuses. Get out and vote on Nov. 2."
-- Farouk Samad
