**MEDIA ADVISORY**ROCK THE VOTE AND NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER TO CELEBRATE SECOND ANNUAL DEMOCRACY DAY
WHAT:
This Friday, March 23, Rock the Vote will be joined by the National Constitution Center in kicking off the second annual Democracy Day, a celebration of the right to vote for young Americans*, and the launch of Rock the Vote’s high school civics initiative, Democracy Class in 2012.
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter will deliver a message of support for the program, and over 200 Philadelphia high school students will take part in Democracy Class, a one-class-period program that uses pop culture, video, classroom discussion and a mock election to teach young people the skills they need to navigate the election process, engage as active citizens and cast their first ballot this November (www.democracyclass.com). The Democracy Class in 2012 “History of Voting” video features Grammy award-winning singer John Legend, celebrity blogger Perez Hilton, singer Bridget Kelly and ‘Glee’ star Darren Criss.
In 2012, thousands of high schools nationwide will participate in Rock the Vote’s Democracy Class. For more information, visit the press room HERE.
WHO:
200 high school seniors from World Communication Charter School,
Central High School, Philadelphia Military Academy, Fairhill Community High School, and Constitution High School
Heather Smith, Rock the Vote President
David Eisner, National Constitution Center President and CEO
Carol Aichele, Pennsylvania Secretary of State
Former Governor Ed Rendell
Nikki Jean, Philadelphia based recording artist
Uncle O, Power 99 FM DJ
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter (via video message)
WHEN:
Friday, March 23, 2012
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
WHERE:
National Constitution Center
525 Arch Street
Independence Mall
Philadelphia, PA 19106
DETAILS:
Election Café, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Beginning at 10:00 a.m. on the Center’s Grand Hall Overlook, students can register to vote with the help of Rock the Vote street teams, who will walk them step-by-step through the process. At interactive stations, students can participate in the Center’s innovative program, Address America: Your Six Word Stump Speech by sharing their election priorities and vision for the future of our nation in the form of a six-word political stump speech.
Open to all media.
Democracy Class in 2012, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Rock the Vote President Heather Smith and students from Constitution High School will participate in Rock the Vote’s Democracy Class, a one-class-period program that educates students about the history of voting rights and empowers them to register and cast their first ballot. Democracy Class will take place in the Center’s Freedom Classroom. For more information, visit democracyclass.com or democracyday.com.
Media must register in advance to attend Democracy Class.
Rock the Vote Pep Rally, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Rock the Vote President Heather Smith, National Constitution Center President and CEO David Eisner and Pennsylvania Secretary of State Carol Aichele will lead students in a pep rally on the Center’s Grand Hall Overlook. Power 99 FM DJ Uncle O also will be on hand to encourage students to exercise their right to vote and voice their political opinions in the 2012 presidential election. Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter will deliver remarks to students via a special video message.
Open to all media.
About the National Constitution Center’s Election 2012 Programming
During the 2012 presidential election, the National Constitution Center will celebrate our freedom to vote by becoming a hub of election activity during the 2012 presidential race. Students of all ages can engage in the democratic process at the Center by exploring the key issues of the 2012 election cycle and the ins and outs of presidential campaigns, from announcement to inauguration. A highlight of the Center’s election programming, Address America: Your Six Word Stump Speech, invites citizens to share their election priorities and vision for the future of our nation in the form of a six-word political platform. For more information, visit constitutioncenter.org.
About Rock the Vote
Rock the Vote’s mission is to engage and build political power for young people in our country. Using music, popular culture, new technologies, and grassroots organizing for more than 20 years, Rock the Vote has registered more than 5 million young people, including a record-shattering 2.25 million registration downloads in the historic 2008 election. As the tidal wave of Millennial Generation voters continues to establish its power at the polls, Rock the Vote will register millions more young people and make their voices heard. For more information, visit www.rockthevote.org.
About Democracy Class
Democracy class is a one-period lesson plan that uses new media, popular culture, and classroom discussion to register students to vote and educate them about the power of their vote and participation in the political process. As part of these efforts we celebrate the 2nd annual Democracy Day on March 23, 2012 asking educators across the country to bring Rock the Vote’s Democracy Class to their students (more at www.democracyday.com).