From hitting the streets to hitting the books, "Last Chance for Change" protesters say knowledge is power at the polls.

Leaders used their voices to educate the community in a different way on Monday at Thornden Park in Syracuse.


What You Need To Know


  • Last Chance For Change reached their 23rd day of protesting in Syracuse

  • Leaders say they want to prepare people for the voting booth

  • They hope to register thousand of new voters

It was their 23rd day of protesting in the wake of George Floyd's death in Minneapolis.

“A functioning democracy cannot happen with an ignorant population,” said Ragin Mickens, one of the "Last Chance for Change" organizers. “If people don’t know who’s on the ballot, if they don’t know the people in the background, what they’re in charge or what power they hand out to people, we end up in a situation we’re in right now."

So, Mickens and Kennieth Miles informed the group about a variety of topics ranging from the branches of government to local and national candidates.

“There’s so much that I still don’t know, even someone who has been involved in community organizing,” said Renee Vogelsang, a community organizer. “I think that’s the thing about voting and voter awareness. There’s so much we don’t teach in school and don’t hear about from our community at large."

Mickens said this is why they want to prepare people before they head to the voting booth.

“If people are knowledgeable on that, regardless of where you come from, we have faith you’ll make the right decision for yourself,” said Mickens. “Definitely a better decision than if you don’t know anything and you’re just walking in and think, ‘alright, I’m closer to red or blue’ and go with that.”

The initiative also introduced the group to new perspectives. 

“We have a lot of the protesters that end up talking with each other, learning about each other’s backgrounds and what not,” said Mickens. “It opens people’s minds.”

Protesters believe passing on personal experiences and absorbing political knowledge can help lead them to a better future.

“If we stand together in power and register to vote and actually vote, we can vote people out who are making decisions not our behalf, not on behalf of black people and people of color,” said Vogelsang.

They’ve registered hundreds of residents since the protests began, but hope to reach thousands.