Leading Redistricting Lawsuit Plaintiffs Stop In Bartow As Part Of Statewide ‘We Draw The Lines’ Tour
*Pictures and video from the event can be found here.
Bartow – Last night, the leading plaintiffs in the redistricting lawsuit fighting back against Gov. DeSantis’ unconstitutional maps took their ‘We Draw The Lines’ statewide tour to the African
American Heritage Museum in Bartow, Florida.
Bartow sits in one of the numerous congressional districts swept up in the ongoing redistricting litigation – Congressional District 9. The new DeSantis-drawn maps have resulted in unlawful diminishment of Black voting power and defy the will of more than three million Florida voters who easily passed the Fair Districts amendment in 2010.
“No matter what we look like, or where we come from, every Floridian deserves to have their voice heard,” said Jasmine Burney-Clark, founder and consulting Director of Equal Ground. “The Governor’s congressional districting plan deeply diminishes Black representation and rigs the map overwhelmingly in favor of Republicans in violation of the Fair Districts Amendments, which require non-partisan redistricting lines.”
Bartow is among several statewide stops over the next month where Equal Ground is teaming up with fellow plaintiffs in the case, including Florida Rising, League of Women Voters of Florida, and Black Voters Matter, to educate, mobilize, and galvanize Black voters in multiple counties on the need for fair representation.
The leading plaintiffs provided attendees with a presentation delving into the history of the district and examined the former congressional map versus the current map in question. Attendees were also updated on the current legal redistricting landscape and provided information about critical election law changes including vote by mail, and voter registration deadlines for the November midterms.
The ‘We Draw The Lines’ tour is focused on education and highlighting racial equity to ensure that Florida’s Black population is truly represented and that state lawmakers are responsive to the needs of their communities.
“Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy,” said Natasha Sutherland, Deputy Director of Florida Watch. “This election cycle we must take back our power and become the hero of our own story by using our vote to elect those who share our values and protect our interests.”
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