OBV urge Chinese voter registration before 24 hour deadline

PRESS RELEASE: Immediate

Contact OBV press office:

07920 057 237 / 07584 177 529

LONDON: 26th November: Operation Black Vote (OBV) today released a multi-media campaign that uses real quotes from politicians to urgently encourage Britain's disenfranchised groups, particularly, Chinese, Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) youth and others, to register to vote. Created by Saatchi & Saatchi London, and supported by the British Chinese Project, the hard-hitting awareness campaign highlights some of the bigoted beliefs held by politicians.

The forthcoming election is broadly seen as one of the most important political events in generations. The campaign’s central message is that if BME communities, and young people in general, do not register to vote, others with often bigoted views, will speak for them.

The quotes contain controversial views and statements from politicians which insensitively touch upon issues of race, religion, women, sexuality and climate change.

Artists partaking are Nathalie Emmanuel (Actor - Game of Thrones, Fast & Furious), Nadia Rose (British hip-hop artist), Ash Sarkar (Journalist, Political activist), Jermain Jackman (Singer - The Voice UK) and Will Poulter (Actor - The Revenant, Detroit, Black Mirror).

At the end of the film the caption reads: “These are real quotes from UK politicians. When you don’t vote, other people speak for you.”

The campaign focuses on the importance of voting on 12th December and will show a series of billboards up and down the UK showing famous people with an ‘X’ over their mouths, highlighting the importance of having their voice heard.

OBV have also produced a Race Equality Manifesto and ground breaking research highlighting where the BME vote could be the difference.

Lord Simon Woolley and Director at OBV said:

With the nation’s future direction at stake, it’s critical that marginalised communities have a voice in this election. The marginality of so many seats -100 - simply means the BME vote could decide who has the keys to Downing Street. This is a dynamic and creative campaign that seeks to inspire millions of people to register to vote and finally have their voice heard. The most radical political act you can do, is to register to vote"”

Britsh Chinese Project, CEO Michael Wilkes said:

If we want our politics to look like us, talk like us and come from where we come from; my Chinese brothers and sisters must use their voice and their vote. The first simple, but crucial step is to be registered to vote.”

Commenting on the film, Magnus Djaba, Chief Creative Officer, Saatchi & Saatchi London said:

The film uses a simple but very effective technique bringing the nonsense spoken by our politicians into everyday settings – exposing these dangerous views as bigoted, outdated and out-of-touch. Anyone who thinks politics has nothing to do with them, needs to watch this film and make sure they’re registered to vote.”

Notes to Editor:

1. OBV has worked with Saatchi & Saatchi London since 2015, for the hard-hitting ‘A Vote is a vote’ campaign which encouraged people to register to vote in the EU referendum.
2. ‘Fakes Views’ is directed by David Allain, who has directed projects for brands such as O2, Panasonic, the Guardian and Beats by Dr Dre, with his short films receiving recognition at Palm Springs, Tribeca and the BFI London Film Festival.