MADISON, Wis. – Earlier today the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ruled 6-3 (Louisiana vs Callais) against a Congressional Map in Louisiana with the majority claiming an unconstitutional gerrymander that relied too heavily on race. This decision weakens the Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 1965 that provided protections against racially discriminatory election practices. In response Representative Kalan Haywood (D-Milwaukee) released the following statement:
“It sickens me that the conservative, activist SCOTUS majority who have time and again enabled and emboldened Donald Trump to violate the Constitution, would break 60 years of precedent to give him and his allies the opportunity to further entrench their power. As he faces historic unpopularity, and the GOP risks losing control of Congress and legislative bodies across the nation in the upcoming midterms, SCOTUS has all but encouraged states to further weaken and dilute the rights of minority communities to achieve that goal.
“As each day goes by, this court and this administration drives us further and further from Democratic representation and closer to corporate oligarchy. We can no longer afford to let the corrupt machinations of this regime disproportionately suppress the voices of Black and Brown Americans. It is shameful day in our history. I sincerely believe that it is not too late for Americans to take our country back. I remain hopeful that we seize the opportunity this November to reinforce the Democratic ideals and values on which this country was founded.”
