The Democratic Party brought its Every Vote Counts voter registration efforts to the forefront Wednesday night in New York.
Michael Jackson, Chris Tucker, Tony Bennett and other celebrities joined the likes of former President Bill Clinton and members of the Democratic National Committee at Harlem’s Apollo Theatre for a concert fundraiser.
Tucker co-hosted the event with actress Cicely Tyson. Ruben Blades, k.d. lang and Tony Bennett performed, as did Jackson. M.J. sang a medley of songs that included “Black or White” and “Smooth Criminal,” and was joined by Jane’s Addiction guitarist and former Red Hot Chili Pepper Dave Navarro for a portion of his set.
The event raised $2.5 million, according to a spokesperson for the Democratic National Committee.
The Every Vote Counts program aims to promote awareness about the importance of voter registration and to educate people about the process in hopes of thwarting discrimination when they go to register.