Districts drawn to protect incumbents are disenfranchising - and hurting - voters

Members of the Massachusetts Black Empowerment Coalition (MBEC) and the New Democracy Coalition (NDC) gathered in front of the State House on Wednesday to call attention to an exciting new grassroots coalition fighting for equitable political representation. According to Barry Lawton, communications director of MBEC, the coalition is calling for transparency and fairness in the redrawing of state and federal electoral districts that is now underway. In the past, the shaping of districts has been used to protect incumbents and strengthen the status quo, effectively locking disenfranchised communities of color out of the political process. MBEC/NDC are alerting disenfranchised voters across the state – particularly in communities of color – that this is a timely opportunity to start regaining their political voice. By engaging the process now, they hope to make the system represent – and therefore serve – all of the people, as was envisioned by the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The MBEC/NDC are calling on non-profit organizations, the faith community and political leaders of all parties to support this non-partisan effort. Jill Stein, co-chair of the Green-Rainbow Party, a member of the BEC/NDC coalition, also spoke at the press conference. She delivered the following statement: “I’m delighted to be here today to support to work of the Black Empowerment and New Democracy Coalitions. The lack of real democracy in Massachusetts hurts every resident. But it falls especially hard on racial and ethnic minorities who have been systematically disempowered.” “How can people of color believe this is their government when they constitute 20% of the population, but only 10% of the Massachusetts legislature? Do they have a real voice in Washington when none of our senators and congressional representatives are from communities of color? When people of color, and low income people are not represented in the halls of power, government inevitably favors the well off. And we all suffer the consequences.” “The rules of campaign finance already favor the political and economic elite who can promote status quo candidates simply by dumping their private money into campaign warchests. It’s a further insult to democracy when those same favored legislators draw district lines to divide and weaken disadvantaged constituencies. “ “The result of a government run by the elite and for the elite is all around us. Wall Street bonuses and corporate profits are bigger than ever, but 16% of black workers are unemployed, and low income communities are staggering under an ongoing foreclosure crisis. Two-thirds of all income gains for much of the past decade went solely to the richest 1%, while the incomes of ordinary people stagnated. CEO salaries were up 24% last year while low income communities were handed austerity pills and budget cuts. Despite this, our Legislative leaders defend their failed economic policies, telling us that they are working well and nothing need change. We need legislators who understand the depth of the crisis and who will stand up for real, fundamental, immediate change. We won’t have such legislative leaders until we restore health to the electoral process - and drawing fair districts is an important first step.” “The Black Empowerment and New Democracy Coalitions are raising the bar high for the next round of redistricting. The Green-Rainbow Party stands behind them. We strongly urge all residents of the Commonwealth to demand a fair and equitable redistricting plan. People can start by attending a regional redistricting hearing in their area of the state. The first hearing will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2011, 9:30 AM -3:30 PM, at the Perkins Community Center, (at the Lee School), 155 Talbot Ave, Boston. Please join us there, and let your voice be heard.”