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Toni Brooks, guest speaker at the 34th annual Black Heritage Council Awards Banquet, urges audience members Saturday to vote in November's general election. / Kurt Moore/Marion Star
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WALDO - Toni Brooks, guest speaker at the 34th annual Black Heritage Council Awards Banquet, asked audience members to remember something come November.
She urged them to vote on Election Day.
Brooks, the first black female to be Ohio's deputy director of prisons, spoke out against attempts to strengthen voter identification laws in Ohio and other states. She said these laws are another attempt to keep people from voting.
"I want you all to wake up before it's too late," she said. "Our civil rights could be in jeopardy."
Brooks' remarks centered partly on Ohio House Bill 194, which would limit early voting opportunities and enact other changes that critics claim add up to voter suppression.
Opponents gathered enough signatures to place a referendum of the bill on the Nov. 6 general election ballot, which means it will not be in effect during this year's presidential election.
House Bill 159, another bill that is still being discussed in the state legislature, would strengthen identification requirements. If passed, Ohioans could vote only with a state-issued ID, a military photo ID or a U.S. passport.
Brooks referred to Jim Crow laws, past attempts to limit blacks' right to vote, as she said the current proposals are laws meant "just to make discrimination easy."
She said 34 states are debating such election reform laws while the actual number of incidents of voter fraud "is so low and minute."
"I believe we are in a re-emergence of Jim Crow laws," Brooks said as she spoke out against lawmakers pushing the proposals.
"If we vote for them, we hire them," she said. "If we hire them, we can fire them. Show up and vote."
Brooks' comments followed presentation of awards to local residents and organizations.
Among awards presented was a special award given to First John Church of God in Christ Elder Franklin O'Bryant, local organizer of the Christmas in July school supply giveaway held each year at Fairview Apartments. O'Bryant, president of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, which received the Capitola Henson Community Involvement Award, said it is part of his efforts to "bring church to the people."
Also recognized was Diverse Moves Dance Studio owner Quiana Revere, awarded the council's business award.
Rhea Kaiser, a Marion Technical College instructor and mentor at Grant Middle School, received the council's education award.
Youth awards were given to Marion Harding High School students Kura Hariston and Jasone Montgomery.
Proceeds from the banquet benefit scholarships for area black youths.
Kurt Moore: 740-375-5151 or kdmoore@marionstar.com
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