- The Washington Times - Tuesday, August 19, 2014

The Rev. Jesse Jackson and liberal organizers are coordinating efforts to register voters in Ferguson, Missouri, setting up voting booths in the area as rioting and protests continue in the aftermath of Michael Brown’s death.

Mr. Jackson met Monday with St. Louis clergy to plan a formal voter registration drive, The Daily Caller reported.

“Five thousand new voters will transform the city from top to bottom,” he told potential voters during a stop at a McDonald’s.

Liberal activists — including from the George Soros-funded Center for Constitutional Rights — have set up voter registration booths at several locations around the St. Louis suburb, including at a makeshift memorial for the 18-year-old, who was fatally shot by police Officer Darren Wilson during an altercation on Aug. 9, The Daily Caller reported.

“In front of the makeshift memorial where Mike Brown was killed, they’ve set up a voter registration table,” tweeted Jessica Lee, a human rights attorney for the Center.

“Voter registration for #Ferguson residents is at the QT & the crime scene. SIGN UP. Get on the juries, choose your leaders. #MikeBrown,” another activist by the handle @ReignOfApril tweeted Saturday.

Missouri Republican Party Executive Director Matt Wills called the voter drive “disgusting” and “inappropriate.”

“If that’s not fanning the political flames, I don’t know what is,” he told Breitbart News.

“This is not just a tragedy for the African-American community, this is a tragedy for the Missouri community as well as the community of what we call America,” Mr. Wills added. “Injecting race into this conversation and into this tragedy, not only is not helpful, but it doesn’t help a continued conversation of justice and peace.”

MSNBC host Al Sharpton announced during a rally on Sunday that his National Action Network and Bishop Larry Jones would set up a voter registration drive.

“Michael Brown’s gonna change this town,” Mr. Sharpton said, calling the area’s 12 percent voter turnout “an insult to your children,” Breitbart reported.

• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.

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