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Lexington activist walks 401 miles across Kentucky promoting voting

Posted at 3:05 PM, Sep 30, 2020
and last updated 2020-10-01 16:17:36-04

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Lexington activist Devine Carama embarked on a 401-mile journey across Kentucky starting Tuesday in Pikeville to encourage voting in the 2020 election.

"When I look at some of the things that my ancestors did engaging a personal sacrifice in order to bring attention to an important cause, I think that's needed to do things like this, you know? It's just for me, but hopefully, it brings a lot of attention to a great cause and voting in 2020," explained Carama. "There is no greater cause at this point in our country. So that's why I'm out here that's why I'm doing what I'm doing, just to inspire people to get to the polls this year."

As he walks along Kentucky highways, Camara carries a sign that reads 'I'll walk 400 miles if you promise to VOTE! Deal?'

Carama then stays in local hotels and spends time talking to locals.

Tuesday night in Prestonsburg, Kentucky, he said, "some of them were voting, you know, some of them told me who they were voting for, while others said it didn't matter, you know, and they don't like anybody on the ballot and why should I vote. And so really opened up a platform to talk about voting from different perspectives."

When asked how he came up with the idea of walking state highways for about a week, Camara said it stemmed from being a community service-hearted person.

"I am a kind of a community service-hearted person being the director of a nonprofit working front lives in the community--working with young people," Camara explained. "So when it comes to activism when it comes to social issues, some people are built for the megaphone. Some people are built to go into politics. But those aren't really my things, you know even marching and protesting. For me, I think, engaging in personal sacrifice and just serving are ways that I can bring attention to important issues. You know, the 400 miles, the least that I could do if it inspires the next person. And when you think about what our ancestors went through for me to have this right to be able to walk with places that I'll be walking in Kentucky. It's just the least that I could do so I think we all have a part to play. And this is my part."

Carama said he really hopes his actions will inspire others not only to vote but to become involved in their communities.

"Just get active, you know, basically anybody could do what I'm doing. You know what I mean? I think sometimes we think in order to make a difference we have to, you know, be this extraordinary person with this super unique uncanny skill set, but at the end of the day, it's just about your heart," explained Carama. "And I think all of us can go out here and maybe not walk 400 miles, but all of us can go out here and do something to bring attention to a cause. And just to make a difference in their community and I hope that that's the main thing that people get. Secondly, you know just the importance of voting in 2020. No more getting on Facebook and complaining. You know, we can get on Facebook and complain but let's do our due diligence and let our voices be heard."