New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr., joined by other elected officials and clergy members, held a City Hall news conference on Friday, October 10, 2008 calling for a voter referendum on term limits and respect of voters’ rights. Pictured (back, l to r) are: Rev. Yolanda Brown, Brooklyn Christian Center; New York State Assembly Member Hakeem Jefferies; New York City Council Member David I. Weprin; Rev. Allen Hand, Antioch Baptist Church; New York City Council Member Bill de Blasio; (front, l to r) New York State Senator Eric Adams; New York City Council Member John C. Liu; Thompson; New York City Council Member Charles Barron; and, New York City Council Member Letitia James

New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. today joined New York clergy and other elected officials on the steps of City Hall to call for a voter referendum on term limits and respect for voters’ rights.

“Hundreds of thousands of people struggled to attain the right to vote,” Thompson said. “That struggle and especially that right needs to be respected. Moving forward and extending term limits without a vote would undermine the will of the voters and ignore all who have struggled to gain that right. An issue this important needs the voters’ voice.”

Recalling the historic and long fought struggle for voting rights, the church leaders and city and state elected officials joined Thompson in making the call to respect voters’ rights.

Participating in the press conference were: Bishop Eric Garnes, Tabernacle of Praise; Rev. Allen Hand, Antioch Baptist Church; Bishop Huey Rogers, Bibleway Temple; Rev. Devoe Chapman, Greater Bright Light Baptist Church; Rev. Jerry West, Mount Moriah Baptist Church; State Senators Kevin Parker and Eric Adams; State Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries; and City Council Members Charles Barron, Leiticia James, and Darlene Mealy.

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