Vote for those who risk everything to be heard

In a heartfelt address, a speaker shared a poignant personal story about the significance of voting, drawing from their experiences in Lebanon during the 1972 elections. The speaker recounted how their family, consisting of their father, mother, and three sisters, faced a harrowing journey to cast their votes. Living in the city, they had to travel through a Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) camp to reach their village polling station, where tensions were high due to their Christian identity.

The speaker described a tense moment at a checkpoint where their father was subjected to a humiliating search, highlighting the dangers and fears that accompanied their quest to exercise their democratic rights. Despite the risks, the family successfully voted in what was described as a pivotal election that would determine Lebanon's future direction.

Reflecting on this experience, the speaker emphasized the importance of voting as a means of being heard and making a difference. They urged the audience to not only vote themselves but also to encourage others to participate in the electoral process, honoring those who risk their lives for the right to vote. The address concluded with a call to action, imploring attendees to vote for those who have fought for their voices to be heard, reinforcing the idea that every vote matters.