This election season veterans have found themselves in the political spotlight for several reasons.
Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, is a veteran, bringing added media attention to veteran issues.
Moreover, words uttered by former President Donald Trump disparaging veterans, calling them “losers,” and his disrespect of the Arlington National Cemetery rules against political pandering on the property led to a Trump official assaulting an Arlington National Cemetery employee and then calling her mentally challenged afterward, has placed veterans front-and-center regarding how they will respond at the polls for this pivotal election.
To that end, a group of vets focused on maximizing the vote wants their presence felt this Nov. 5 and beyond.
COMMON DEFENSE EVENT
Common Defense, a grassroots organization of progressive veterans dedicated to fighting racism, hate, and violence, is leading an effort to educate, empower and register Texans, veterans, and civilians, to vote in the upcoming election.
“Operation Free the Vote” is Common Defense’s series of events, with the first one taking place on Friday, Oct. 4. Starting at 12 noon at Emancipation Park (3018 Emancipation Ave, Houston, TX 77004). From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., participating veterans and other volunteers will participate in a Block Walking in Houston’s historic Third Ward. More block walking and neighborhood canvassing will take place from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m., following by a culminating gathering back at Emancipation Park that will conclude at 7 p.m.
“Our veteran members here in Houston will be convening in the Third Ward to go and help people create a voting plan, informing the community about all of the important dates and all of the education that they need, whether it be what IDs they can take to the polling places; if I have a felony, can I still vote; and being a resource to the community to be able to prepare for the elections,” said Lakiesha Lloyd, a disabled Army veteran and Common Defense’s Climate Justice Manager.
Common Defense will also have certified individuals to register people to vote in Harris County, and will help people check their voter registration status.
However, Houston is not the only city where Common Defense will deploy “troops” who are committed to saving democracy and freeing the vote. On Oct. 4, veterans across Texas will come together to ensure our communities are informed, registered, and ready to vote.
CALL TO SERVICE
An organizational statement read: “In late August, Governor Greg Abbott oversaw the removal of over 1 million voters, including many eligible voters, from the Texas voter roll. As veterans and lifelong protectors of democracy, we are frustrated by these attempts to suppress voter participation. But we refuse to be silenced!”
Lloyd views voter engagement as a continuation of her duties as a U.S. soldier.
“When we serve, we raise our right hand and we swear to defend and protect the Constitution, the democracy. And that’s what we continue to do. Just because we got our DD214, our discharge papers coming out of the military doesn’t mean our service ended. We swore an oath to continue our service. That oath doesn’t just go away when we get out,” Lloyd added.
For Lloyd, full access to voting polls is an issue near and dear to veterans.
“Veterans in particular, we come back from our time and service and we have wounds that are physical or invisible. So, being able to early vote, being able to mail in their ballots, these are all things that are important, especially to those who served because their voices matter. We served our country and we should be able to have all access to be able to vote regardless of our situation,” she added.
ENDORSEMENTS
Common Defense, a national organization committed to organizing against division and systemic injustice and ensuring that every voice is heard in our democracy, has endorsed VP Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz for president and vice president, and U.S. Rep Colin Allred for the U.S. Senate representing Texas.
When asked about Trump’s words and actions deemed disrespectful to veterans, Lloyd emphasized that veterans are not a monolith and come in all shapes, sizes and political affiliations.
That said, she was clear on how Trump’s words impacted her.
“It hurts as a veteran who has served our country to hear someone who’s supposed to be the Commander-in-Chief just have such disdain for those who have served. But that’s why we have to, as veterans, step up and let it be known that we recognize what’s going on. We see it, we’re not gonna stand for it.”
