From an Advancement Project press release:
As an answer to fixing Florida’s flawed election system, State Senator Oscar Braynon, along with civil rights organizations Florida New Majority and Advancement Project, are joining North Miami resident Desiline Victor to introduce a bill that will protect and improve the right to vote in Florida.
Sen. Braynon’s SB 888 – Desiline’s Free and Fair Democracy Act – helps modernize the state’s voting system and enshrines the fundamental right to vote into state law.
The event is at the North Miami Public Library, where Ms. Victor, age 102, was forced to stand in line for hours before being able to cast her ballot. Her story became national news when Advancement Project brought her to the attention of the White House, after the organization discovered her during her struggle to vote. President Barack Obama recounted her voting experience during the recent State of the Union address, as Ms. Victor received a standing ovation from lawmakers while sitting in First Lady Michelle Obama’s box.
WHAT: Launch of Desiline’s Free and Fair Democracy Act
WHO: State Senator Oscar Braynon, Florida New Majority, North Miami Mayor Andre Pierre and a host of other voting rights advocates
WHEN: Monday, February 25, 2013 at 11 am
WHERE: North Miami Public Library, 835 NE 132nd St, North Miami, FL 33161
Background from the Miami Herald's last story about Victor:
WASHINGTON -- At 102 years old, it is possible that Desiline Victor is the oldest guest ever to attend a State of the Union address.
But the North Miami woman, known as “Granny” among the city’s Haitian community, was chosen less for her age than what she stands for.
As a naturalized U.S. citizen who waited for more than three hours to cast her ballot Nov. 6, Victor represents what President Barack Obama wants to highlight most in his second term. So she will be sitting Tuesday night in the first lady’s box, along with other invited guests.
“I know I’m going to sit with the president’s wife,” she said. “I did not think I would get here. I am proud.”
As an immigrant, former farm worker, respected elder and minority from a heavily populated part of South Florida, Victor and others like her stand to benefit most from the policies the president will discuss during his speech, White House officials say.
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