Pax Christi sends election monitor to Florida

Social justice news
November 2004

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Pax Christi sends election monitor to Florida
The British Section of Pax Christi is supporting its sister movement in the United States by sending journalist Paul Donovan to be an observer of the U.S. election process in Florida, a state at the centre of disputes in the 2000 elections.

Pax Christi USA has joined with the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP) in this initiative. NAACP is the oldest and largest civil rights organisation in the United States.

Dave Robinson, Director of Pax Christi USA said: "After 2000, when so many people were denied participation in our common life as a nation, when their basic rights were denied and they were treated without respect, we are obliged to assure that such a situation does not repeat itself." We must place the importance of democracy at the core of this election, making it inclusive to all and accountable to a vision of fairness, re-enfranchisement, equality and justice".

A delegation of international observers arrived in the U.S. on Sunday 31 October to be trained as monitors and then placed on site in four Florida counties: Miami-Dade, Broward, West Palm Beach and Duval.

Commenting on his participation in the initiative, Paul Donovan said: "Former President Jimmy Carter has already voiced his concerns about the electoral process in Florida. The concerns of the President and others make the case for an international body like that which has been assembled coming into to ensure that these elections are free and fair. It is the least we owe to the American people after all they have done to promote democracy across the world."

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