Roland Martin Unfiltered
Roland Martin Unfiltered
June 18, 2026

Fla. Fake Voters & Black Voter Purges. Ma. Cop Kills Black Toddler. Black Farmland Under Siege.

YouTube · DyjcGGWMNr8

Quick Read

This episode exposes alleged voter fraud and purges in Florida, analyzes Georgia's critical election runoffs, details the systemic challenges faced by Black farmers, and condemns the police killing of a 1-year-old Black child in Mississippi, all while highlighting the historical and civic importance of Juneteenth.
Florida's voter registration system is compromised, with evidence of 25,000 purged voters and 'ghost votes' in St. Lucie County.
Georgia's runoff elections show a Democratic surge, with opportunities to win key statewide and down-ballot races by leveraging generational change and local organizing.
Black farmers face an input crisis and land loss, but are innovating with direct-to-consumer models and regenerative farming to maintain economic stability and food security.

Summary

Roland Martin Unfiltered delves into pressing issues affecting the Black community, starting with a report from the Election Truth Alliance on alleged voter registration database compromises and targeted purging of Black voters in Florida, specifically St. Lucie County. The discussion shifts to Georgia's recent election runoffs, analyzing key races, the impact of endorsements, and the Democratic Party's strategy to leverage voter turnout and generational change. The episode also features a Black farmer discussing the decline of Black-owned farmland, the economic struggles, and innovative strategies for survival and community food security. A segment is dedicated to the tragic police shooting of a 1-year-old Black child in Mississippi, with calls for transparency and accountability. Finally, the historical context and ongoing significance of Juneteenth are explored, emphasizing its role in civic engagement and education about American slavery.
This episode matters because it provides a critical, unfiltered perspective on systemic issues impacting Black communities, from voter disenfranchisement and police brutality to economic instability in agriculture and the fight for historical recognition. The detailed analysis of election dynamics in Georgia offers actionable insights for political engagement, while the discussion on Black farmers highlights crucial food security and wealth preservation challenges. The segment on the Mississippi police shooting underscores the urgent need for police reform and accountability, making the content vital for understanding contemporary racial justice struggles and mobilizing for change.

Takeaways

  • The Election Truth Alliance report details how Florida's voter registration database was compromised, leading to the purging of approximately 25,000 active Black voters in St. Lucie County, representing 10% of the county's active voters.
  • Georgia's runoff elections saw significant Democratic victories in local races, indicating a strong desire for generational change and new leadership, despite Republican efforts.
  • Black farmers have lost over $326 billion in wealth due to land decline, facing high input costs and corporate interests, but are finding solutions through direct market access and community aggregation.
  • A 1-year-old Black child was tragically shot and killed by police in Senatobia, Mississippi, during an alleged shoplifting incident involving Pampers, raising serious questions about excessive force and accountability.
  • Juneteenth, originally a Texas state holiday championed by Al Edwards Sr., has become a federal holiday, serving as a crucial annual moment for education and civic engagement on the history of slavery and its ongoing impact.

Insights

1Florida's Voter System Vulnerabilities and Purging of Black Voters

An investigation by the Election Truth Alliance revealed that Florida's voter registration database and vote counting systems were compromised, enabling vote manipulation. Specifically, in St. Lucie County, approximately 25,000 active registered voters (about 10% of the county's total) were purged without documentation after the 2024 election. This county is the 11th most populated for Black residents. Malware designed to target and purge minority voters was detected in Florida's voter registration databases in 2016, and similar effects are observed in 2024. Additionally, 'ghost votes' and precincts with more votes cast than active registered voters were identified.

Nathan Taylor, Executive Director of the Election Truth Alliance, detailed findings from investigations with journalist Allison Green, including the 2016 malware detection in St. Lucie County and the subsequent purging of 25,000 voters after the 2024 presidential election. He cited instances of voters registered at UPS stores, boat marinas, and under-construction addresses, and a couple who voted in Palm Beach County but had a vote cast for the husband in St. Lucie County.

2Georgia Election Runoffs Signal Democratic Momentum and Generational Change

Recent Georgia runoff elections demonstrated significant Democratic strength, with candidates like Keisha Lance Bottoms advancing and Mo Ivory defeating a long-term incumbent in Fulton County. The results indicate a public desire for generational and demographic change, with Democrats outpacing Republicans in turnout. The host and panelists argue that tying Republican candidates to Donald Trump's policies and highlighting economic issues like gas prices and healthcare costs are effective strategies.

Host Roland Martin reported on Rick Jackson advancing to the general election against Keisha Lance Bottoms for Lieutenant Governor, and Mike Collins facing Jon Ossoff for the US Senate. Robert Patillo noted Vernon Jones's significant loss despite MAGA loyalty and the overall Democratic turnout advantage. Mo Ivory's landslide victory over incumbent Rob Pitts in Fulton County was cited as evidence of the demand for new voices.

3Black Farmers Face Systemic Challenges and Innovative Solutions

Black farmers have experienced a dramatic decline in land ownership, losing over $326 billion in lost wealth since 1910. They face an 'input crisis' where operating costs exceed profits, exacerbated by factors like Donald Trump's tariffs. To combat this, farmers are adopting regenerative farming practices, seeking direct-to-consumer markets, and aggregating resources within the Black farming community to bypass traditional intermediaries and government dependency.

Roland Martin cited Farm Aid statistics: Black farmers owned 16-19 million acres in the early 20th century, now less than 3 million, resulting in $326 billion in lost wealth. Wayne Swanson Jr. of Swanson Family Farms described the input crisis and his approach to regenerative farming, direct marketing, and community aggregation, including supplying Nourish and Bloom Markets in Atlanta.

4Police Killing of 1-Year-Old Black Child in Mississippi Sparks Outcry

A Senatobia, Mississippi police officer shot and killed a 1-year-old Black child during an alleged shoplifting incident involving Pampers. The mother claims she showed officers the baby in the car before they fired, and disputes the police narrative that the car was charging at officers. This incident highlights a pattern of excessive force against Black individuals for minor alleged offenses and calls for immediate release of bodycam and surveillance footage.

Roland Martin reported the incident from June 14th, where a Senatobia officer fired into a car, killing 1-year-old Cannon Hinnant. The mother, Alicia Wiley, recounted showing her baby to officers before shots were fired. Attorney Ben Crump emphasized the disproportionate use of deadly force for alleged shoplifting of Pampers and demanded transparency through video release.

5Juneteenth: A Crucial Tool for Education and Civic Engagement

Juneteenth, now a federal holiday, originated as a Texas state holiday through the efforts of State Representative Al Edwards Sr., who worked for decades to get it recognized in 45 states before it became federal. It serves as a vital annual opportunity to educate Americans about the history of slavery, its abolition, and its lasting impact on the country. Celebrations historically included voter registration and civic engagement, a tradition that should continue to leverage the day for political action and historical understanding.

Jason Edwards, son of Al Edwards Sr., explained his father's role in passing Juneteenth as a Texas state holiday in 1979 and then advocating for its adoption in 45 other states. He stressed that Juneteenth forces a national pause to acknowledge slavery and its significance, serving as a 'day of leverage' for education and civic engagement, including voter registration.

Bottom Line

The vulnerability of election systems, as demonstrated in Florida, suggests that 'election integrity' concerns, often raised by Republicans, may be exploited in ways that disproportionately affect minority voters through targeted purges and 'ghost votes.'

So What?

This undermines faith in democratic processes and can suppress minority turnout, potentially altering election outcomes at both local and national levels.

Impact

Advocacy groups and citizens must proactively monitor voter rolls, demand transparency in election system audits, and push for legislative reforms that protect against digital manipulation and illegal voter purges.

The success of Democratic candidates in Georgia's runoffs, driven by a focus on generational change and tying opponents to unpopular national figures, indicates a potential blueprint for flipping traditionally conservative states.

So What?

This strategy could be replicated in other swing states by emphasizing local issues, empowering community organizers, and investing in down-ballot races rather than solely federal campaigns.

Impact

Democratic parties and allied organizations should invest heavily in grassroots organizing, local leadership development, and targeted digital campaigns that resonate with diverse communities, moving away from reliance on D.C.-centric consultants.

Black farmers' efforts to create direct-to-consumer models and aggregate resources demonstrate a resilient, community-driven approach to food security and economic empowerment in the face of systemic disadvantages.

So What?

This model not only sustains Black-owned farms but also provides healthier, staple foods to underserved Black communities, addressing food deserts and promoting health.

Impact

Support for Black farming initiatives should focus on funding processing infrastructure, business training, and market access, encouraging community-based food systems that prioritize nourishment and local economic development over large-scale corporate agriculture.

Lessons

  • Check your voter registration regularly, especially before major elections, to ensure you haven't been illegally purged from the rolls.
  • Engage in local and state-level politics, supporting candidates who advocate for voting rights, police reform, and economic justice in your community.
  • Support Black-owned farms and businesses by seeking out direct-to-consumer options and advocating for policies that provide resources and market access to these enterprises.

Notable Moments

The host, Roland Martin, directly challenges social media commentators who dismiss Juneteenth, emphasizing its historical significance and strategic importance for civic engagement.

This moment highlights the ongoing struggle to educate the public about Black history and the need to leverage cultural holidays for political and social progress, countering misinformation and apathy.

Robert Patillo recounts Vernon Jones's significant loss in the Georgia Secretary of State race despite his strong loyalty to Donald Trump, framing it as a 'cautionary tale' for Black individuals considering joining the MAGA movement.

This serves as a direct political lesson, suggesting that loyalty to certain political figures may not yield reciprocal support, particularly for Black candidates within the Republican party.

Quotes

"

"This malware was designed to, and I quote, allow the targeting and purging of voters based on key demographics, such as being minority voters. And could purge up to say 10% of the active registered voters in a county."

Nathan Taylor
"

"Donald Trump, when it comes time to return the favor to actually stand up and say he supports you, he never shows up for black folks who put their necks on the line for Donald Trump. And I think it should be instructive to black folks coming forward who may think, 'Maybe I'll get onto the MAGA team.' Just look at Vernon Jones as a cautionary tale."

Robert Patillo
"

"We're not trying to give you gouda, spinach, stuffed sausage. I'm trying to give you sausage. What you do with it at home is up to you. I want to give you staple foods that you can make a meal with."

Wayne Swanson Jr.
"

"Where we at in America where Pampers, a water bottle, all these minimal materialistic things end up costing black life. It cannot be in a humane society where we say you can kill a baby because somebody took a box of Pampers."

Ben Crump
"

"The holiday is one of the tools in the quiver of making sure the United States honors our ancestors. The process if as a community we watch the process of Americans having to pause tell their kids digest recognize and commemorate the impact that American-born citizens that were enslaved by its own government made an impact on this country and not just breeze past it."

Jason Edwards

Q&A

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