JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Faith leaders across Jacksonville participated in the Freedom Riders tour Friday night.
It's a campaign to commemorate the Civil Rights movement and express the importance of voting and reflect on what the Freedom Riders did 60 years ago.
The tour will stop in five cities and its kickoff began here in Jacksonville.
A night filled with praise and worship rang through First Baptist Church of Oakland.
The church's Pastor, Christopher McKee Jr., said this service is about rejoicing and also informing the community about the importance of voting.
"The right to vote is still our greatest responsibility in this democracy and doing everything we can to not only protect that right but utilize that right is critical and so as much as we’re going to lift up our savior tonight, we’re gonna lift up the importance of voting," said McKee.
The National Council of Churches is here to help spread the message. In 1964, the NCC went into the South the register people to vote and they've continued to do so since.
Back then, people were beaten, churches and businesses were burned, and lives were lost.
Which is why the Council's President and General Secretary Bishop Vashti McKenzie said showing up at the ballot box is vital.
"Too many people died too much blood was shed," said McKenzie, "This is America it is important for all voices to be presented at the ballot box. When only a few voices are heard that leaves out a whole lot of needs in people that need to be represented.”
Their goal is to educate, engage and empower voters not just for this upcoming election but all elections.
"It is a right that our ancestors fought for and died for and it’s very important for us to honor that and live out that legacy," said McKee.
Saturday morning, the National Council of Churches will continue to engage and empower the community to vote with their community-wide voter registration and empowerment session. It starts at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Oakland.