Today is the first full day of the redistricting session and the creation of a second minority-majority congressional district could be the most contentious debate of the session. Of the state’s six districts only one is majority Black. Baton Rouge Democratic Senator Cleo Fields said it’s time for another district because 33% of the state’s population is black.
“We’re going to be introducing plans that increase Louisiana minority participation. It’s going to increase it to two and we’re going to be fighting for it profusely because it’s no more than fair,” said Fields.
While the map Republicans are pushing for makes minimal changes to the current district lines, Fields has filed legislation to allow for second Black to be elected. He said failure to do so is a federal violation.
“It would be a violation not only of the Voting Rights Act, Subsection II, but it would be unconscionable for us to pass a plan with a single black district,” said Fields.
The state senate has a Republican super-majority, but Fields said if they fail to add a second minority-majority district then it will either be vetoed by the governor and if overridden, decided in court.
“If somebody thinks that sending five non-blacks to Washington from a state that’s comprised of 33% Blacks is right then they’re just absolutely wrong,” said Fields.
Comments