Article August 23, 2004 Issue

DEDICATED TO HOPE

2 men help 200 people better their lives by registering them to vote

By Sentinel Staff

HEY DIDN'T LOOK LIKE REVOLUTIONARIES, even in Boston, a city where sparks of the American Revolution first flew. But the volunteers and public officials who gathered on the green at The Mary Baker Eddy Library for The Betterment of Humanity had one message: Be a revolutionary! Revolutionize your life, revolutionize your community and nation—by voting.

"Cast Your Vote," a voter registration project carried out by and for homeless and low-income individuals, spearheaded a same-day drive in 19 states and 36 cities on July 22, and the open public space next to the Library was a perfect spot for Boston's part in the event. The bright white tent, decorated with clusters of red, white, and blue balloons provided a festive environment—and welcome shade—for registrants and the volunteers who were eager to help them with voting and housing issues. The event was covered by a number of national news organizations.

"Today is like the Super Bowl of voter registration all across the country," said Jim Cronin, one of the event organizers. "It's a dream come true." His comments to the crowd were to the point: "Leave your victim status outside the tent and reconnect with the democratic process. Welcome back to America." That voter registration is about more than politics was brought out by Cronin when the speeches were over. He spoke of a friend who was transformed. The man had had a drinking problem, but within days of registering, his friend had given up drunkenness. "I have to act like a citizen, not a victim," he told Cronin.

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