ATLANTA – State Representative Karen Bennett (D-Stone Mountain), Chair of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus (GLBC), today issued the following statement in response to the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling regarding gerrymandering:
“Today’s U.S. Supreme Court (5-4) decision not to adjudicate gerrymandering cases sends a clear and present warning that politicians will select their voters, versus the right of voters to select their politicians.”
“The leadership of the GLBC views this ruling as a green-light for partisan politicians to continue taking advantage of the annual redistricting process. The court set aside the principles and values of freedom and equality in today’s ruling.”
“This era of judicial restraint in the political process continues to disempower voters. First, Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, then Shelby County v. Holder and today’s decisions are clear indications of the courts being out of touch with disenfranchised voters. Since Shelby County v. Holder, several states, most notably Georgia, have gone to great lengths to disenfranchise voters using techniques such as exact match, closure of polling locations and broken voting machines to name a few. The court’s decision only encourages these nefarious activities with its current practice of judicial restraint.”
“As the 2020 U.S. Census approaches, GLBC leadership asks that its members and constituents be ignited by this ruling. We ask that communities in urban and especially rural Georgia ensure they are counted in the census by participating in the process. We are willing to do all we can to ensure each and every Georgian is counted in the 2020 U.S. Census to ensure all are fully represented when redistricting occurs.”
The GLBC is a non-profit and non-partisan organization, and it seeks to help protect the rights of African Americans, people of color and persons who are disenfranchised.
For more information, please contact State Representative Park Cannon (D-Atlanta) at 404-246-3790.
Representative Karen Bennett represents the citizens of Districts 94, which includes portions of DeKalb and Gwinnett counties. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2012 and currently serves on the Code Revision, Economic Development & Tourism, Health & Human Services and Regulated Industries committees.
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