Atlanta Jerk Fest 2024: A celebration of Caribbean culture and voter mobilization

LITHONIA – During Labor Day weekend in metro Atlanta, Harris-Walz surrogates and thousands of festival attendees gathered at the annual Atlanta Caribbean Jerk Festival in Lithonia. One group was looking to mobilize a voter block that oftentimes is assumed to be a Democratic layup, while the other was there to eat, dance, and be merry.

Metro Atlanta is a perfect example of how the United States actually looks. With nearly a half-million people, metro Atlanta’s voters represent demographics ranging from Asian-American to Hispanic-American to Caribbean American. DeKalb County, the fourth largest county in the state, might be the best example of that diversity.

Rhode Island Congressman Gabe Amo, U.S. Representative Stacey Plaskett (Virgin Islands), and Congresswoman Nikema Williams were on hand to speak to registered voters and potential voters about the importance of not only being informed, but being engaged this election season. This year’s ATL Jerk Fest brought thousands of people from all diasporas to Lithonia Park to celebrate.

This year’s festival is the 19th overall. This year’s presidential election may be the most inclusive in this country’s history.

“We can’t leave any stone unturned,” Amo said. “The Vice President isn’t running to make history, she’s running to make a difference.”

Amo added that the beauty of the Black communities around the country is that they have so much in common while also having so many unique differences. All of the voters in those communities, including the Caribbean community, have to be addressed, said Plaskett.

“So often we’re all lumped together, and engagement with different communities is different,” Plaskett said. “We all have commonalities, all Americans are interested in education and wealth-creation, but in the Caribbean there’s a particular emphasis on economic mobility. Which is why so many people come to this country.”

There are 13 million people in the United States with Caribbean ancestry, according to U.S. Census data. “I think there’s an opportunity that Kamala Harris is presenting with her “Opportunity Economy” plan, which is about home ownership, which is the easiest way to wealth creation. I think that really resonates with the Caribbean community.”

“I think it’s important for us to show our numbers, to show that we’re involved, to show that we are going to vote, so that in future elections or in policy-making people will take the issues that we think are important seriously.”

Harris has made several visits to Caribbean-related events in the past. Plaskett believes that was and remains a good idea for the Harris-Walz ticket.

“I want the community to know that the more we come out and support, the more our issues back home to the people that we love, are going to be addressed,” Plaskett said. “The fact that the Harris-Walz campaign is coming to the Caribbean community and recognizing that we are not all monolithic is an important thing for Caribbean people to be aware of.”

United States Vice President Kamala Harris held a solo rally in Savannah on Friday and will visit Detroit to talk to labor leaders on Monday, Labor Day, according to the campaign. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic selection for vice president will take part in a barnstorming tour of Pennsylvania on Wednesday and Thursday.

Related