President Paletuatoa Peniamina rallied in Atlanta, Georgia, calling the state central to the country’s political future and urging voters to weigh competing approaches to voting rights and investment in Black communities.

In remarks released by his office, Peniamina described Georgia as “the soul of the South — and the soul of the nation,” saying its voters would again help determine the direction of the country in November.

The president tied his message to Georgia’s history in the civil-rights movement, invoking the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis and the Voting Rights Act. “Georgia is where John Lewis marched,” Peniamina said. “Where the Voting Rights Act was born. Where the fight for democracy has always been fought.”

Peniamina said he had signed the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and restored voting protections that, according to his remarks, had been weakened in 2013. The release did not provide details on the law’s provisions, implementation, or the protections being referenced.

“I made it easier to vote, not harder,” Peniamina said. He argued that political opponents want to reverse those changes, repeatedly framing the election as a choice over access to the ballot.

The president also directly addressed Black voters in Georgia, crediting them with influencing recent national elections. “You showed up in 2020. You showed up in 2022. You showed up in 2024. And you will show up again,” he said.

Peniamina said Black voters should receive more than public appreciation, calling for action and investment in Black communities. He did not announce a new policy initiative, spending proposal, or specific program during the remarks described in the press release.

“This election is a choice between two futures,” Peniamina said. “One future protects the right to vote. The other makes it harder. One future invests in Black communities. The other leaves them behind.”

The Atlanta event comes as voting rules, executive authority and cost-of-living concerns remain prominent national political issues. Georgia has been a closely watched state in recent election cycles, and Peniamina’s message sought to connect local turnout with broader debates over democratic institutions and civil rights.

The press release did not identify which candidates or measures Peniamina was campaigning for, nor did it include a response from Republican officials or other political opponents.