FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, June 21, 2024
Cornel West for President
[email protected]

[Albany, New York] Despite facing challenging signature requirements in New York, the Cornel West for President Campaign announces a strategic shift to a write-in campaign in the state, empowering New Yorkers to vote for Dr. Cornel West in the upcoming presidential election.

The state of New York now requires independent candidates to gather an arduous 45,000 signatures within a six-week period, a figure that is triple the number required in previous elections. This task is further compounded by a unique requirement for listing all electors on the petition, alongside increased numbers of district-specific signature requirements.

"These stipulations are not just onerous but are fundamentally anti-democratic, obstructing fair access to the ballot," stated campaign spokesperson Edwin DeJesus. "In 2020, New York Democrats pushed changes that significantly raised the barriers for ballot access, effectively eliminating ballot representation for various minor parties, including the Greens. These actions highlight the systemic barriers that independent and minor party candidates face in New York."

Despite these challenges, the campaign remains undeterred. "We are incredibly grateful for the dedication and tireless efforts of our New York volunteers, whose commitment to democracy shines brightly even in the face of daunting obstacles. While we celebrate our significant achievements in states like Michigan, our New York team remains undeterred, actively spreading the word about the West-Abdullah write-in option. Our focus continues on key battleground states, including Georgia and Pennsylvania, where the electoral stakes are high.” added DeJesus.

The West-Abdullah campaign has secured ballot access in Michigan, North Carolina, Colorado, South Carolina, Utah, Oregon, Alaska, and Vermont, pending finalization of requisite documentation in certain states.

Dr. West's campaign continues to rally support across the nation, advocating for policies that address the needs of all Americans and challenging the status quo. New Yorkers are encouraged to participate in the democratic process by writing in 'Cornel West' on their ballots, ensuring their voices are heard.

About Dr. Cornel West

Dr. West, affectionately known to many as Brother West, is the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Professor of Philosophy and Christian Practice at Union Theological Seminary.

Dr. West is the former University Professor at Harvard University, Professor Emeritus at Princeton University and the first Black person to receive a Ph.D. In Philosophy from Princeton University. He has written 20 books and he is best known for his classics, Race Matters and Democracy Matters, and for his memoir, Brother West: Living and Loving Out Loud. He delivered the historic Gifford lectures at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland in Spring 2024.

Dr. West enters the 2024 Presidential contest at a time in which he describes a national crisis of moral bankruptcy and spiritual obscenity driven by a derelict duopoly of both major parties that equally places profits over people and the planet. West asserts that running as an Independent candidate affords him the opportunity and duty to deliver policy prescriptions incorporated by and for the people, instead of political parties beholden to corporations and special interest groups who feel no solidarity with poor and working-class people of all races, gender identities, and age groups.

The Cornel West Campaign to empower poor and working people everywhere stands at a pivotal moment in history, committed to being a true campaign for people around the globe. Our aim is and will always be to unite in solidarity with movements of truth and justice, who seek a choice beyond empire, white supremacy, capitalism, patriarchy, and the confines of the corporate-dominated two-party system.

About Dr. Melina Abdullah

Dr. Melina Abdullah is a Professor of Pan-African Studies at California State University, Los Angeles, where she has also served as Department Chair. A respected scholar and dedicated activist, Dr. Abdullah is deeply involved in organized labor and social justice movements, holding roles such as the Chair of the Council for Racial and Social Justice with the California Faculty Association’s Los Angeles Chapter. She has been a lifelong union organizer and a delegate to the County Federation of Labor, melding her academic expertise with grassroots activism to champion causes such as the "Cops Off Campus" campaign and the establishment of Ethnic Studies in educational curricula.

A founding organizer of Black Lives Matter, Dr. Abdullah continues to lead the Los Angeles chapter and serves as Director of Black Lives Matter Grassroots, driving local and national initiatives that aim to dismantle systemic racism. Her leadership has been pivotal in various campaigns for justice and equity, including #BlackWomenAreDivine and #EndPoliceAssociations. Dr. Abdullah's commitment to social change is also evident through her role in media, where she produces and hosts "Move the Crowd" on 90.7FM KPFK, furthering public political education.

Beyond her professional and activist roles, Dr. Abdullah is a devoted mother and a champion of community engagement and empowerment. Raised in Oakland, California, by a family of union workers, she embodies the values instilled by her ancestors and strives to pass on a legacy of resilience and advocacy to her three children and her community in Los Angeles’ Crenshaw District. Her extensive contributions to social justice have earned her numerous accolades, including the Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance “Champion of Change” Award and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Award from Loyola Marymount University.

Learn more about Cornel West at CornelWest2024.com. 

Learn more about Dr. West’s Policy Pillars at CornelWest2024.com/Platform.

For more details and press inquiries, please contact [email protected].

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, May 15th, 2024
Cornel West for President
[email protected]

[Harlem, NY] – The NY for Cornel West team is set to host a rally in Harlem on May 21st from 6-8 PM at the Richard Rogers Amphitheater in Marcus Garvey Park. This event marks a critical moment in the campaign, focusing on gaining ballot access and community support.

The rally will feature Chris Smalls, president of the Amazon Labor Union, along with other local performers and speakers. Attendees will have the opportunity to celebrate the efforts of dedicated volunteers and add their signatures to the ballot access petition, significantly contributing to the campaign’s progress.

Event Details:

• Date: May 21, 2024
• Time: 6-8 PM
• Location: Richard Rogers Amphitheater in Marcus Garvey Park (18 Mt Morris Park W, New York, NY 10027)

PRESS RSVP LINK

To watch via livestream, tune into Brother West's official Instagram page at the time of event, or visit www.youtube.com/@CornelWest24 and join the conversation using #CornelWest2024 and #TruthJusticeLove on social media.

About Dr. Cornel West

Dr. West, affectionately known to many as Brother West, is the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Professor of Philosophy and Christian Practice at Union Theological Seminary.

Dr. West is the former University Professor at Harvard University, Professor Emeritus at Princeton University and the first Black person to receive a Ph.D. In Philosophy from Princeton University. He has written 20 books and he is best known for his classics, Race Matters and Democracy Matters, and for his memoir, Brother West: Living and Loving Out Loud. He will deliver the historic Gifford lectures at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland in Spring 2024.

Dr. West enters the 2024 Presidential contest at a time in which he describes a national crisis of moral bankruptcy and spiritual obscenity driven by a derelict duopoly of both major parties that equally places profits over people and the planet. West asserts that running as an Independent candidate affords him the opportunity and duty to deliver policy prescriptions incorporated by and for the people, instead of political parties beholden to corporations and special interest groups who feel no solidarity with poor and working-class people of all races, gender identities, and age groups.

The Cornel West Campaign to empower poor and working people everywhere stands at a pivotal moment in history, committed to being a true campaign for people around the globe. Our aim is and will always be to unite in solidarity with movements of truth and justice, who seek a choice beyond empire, white supremacy, capitalism, patriarchy, and the confines of the corporate-dominated two-party system.

About Dr. Melina Abdullah

Dr. Melina Abdullah is a Professor of Pan-African Studies at California State University, Los Angeles, where she has also served as Department Chair. A respected scholar and dedicated activist, Dr. Abdullah is deeply involved in organized labor and social justice movements, holding roles such as the Chair of the Council for Racial and Social Justice with the California Faculty Association’s Los Angeles Chapter. She has been a lifelong union organizer and a delegate to the County Federation of Labor, melding her academic expertise with grassroots activism to champion causes such as the "Cops Off Campus" campaign and the establishment of Ethnic Studies in educational curricula.

A founding organizer of Black Lives Matter, Dr. Abdullah continues to lead the Los Angeles chapter and serves as Director of Black Lives Matter Grassroots, driving local and national initiatives that aim to dismantle systemic racism. Her leadership has been pivotal in various campaigns for justice and equity, including #BlackWomenAreDivine and #EndPoliceAssociations. Dr. Abdullah's commitment to social change is also evident through her role in media, where she produces and hosts "Move the Crowd" on 90.7FM KPFK, furthering public political education.

Beyond her professional and activist roles, Dr. Abdullah is a devoted mother and a champion of community engagement and empowerment. Raised in Oakland, California, by a family of union workers, she embodies the values instilled by her ancestors and strives to pass on a legacy of resilience and advocacy to her three children and her community in Los Angeles’ Crenshaw District. Her extensive contributions to social justice have earned her numerous accolades, including the Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance “Champion of Change” Award and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Award from Loyola Marymount University.

Learn more about Cornel West at CornelWest2024.com. 

Learn more about Dr. West’s Policy Pillars at CornelWest2024.com/Platform.

For more details and press inquiries, please contact [email protected].