Speak Out for Fair Districts & Real Democracy

Public Hearing

Monday, July 11, 3-6 PM

State House, Boston

The Massachusetts legislature is redrawing the district lines that determine where you vote - and whether your vote has power.  Will district lines be drawn to protect incumbents - or to give people a voice on Beacon Hill?

In 2001 the legislature created districts that weakened the voice of communities of color and lower income neighborhoods. This has worsened racial and economic injustice - contributing to the crisis in jobs, schools, public safety, higher education, health, air quality and more. This hurts all of us.

Don't let the legislature violate your voting rights again.

STAND UP FOR THE DEMOCRACY WE DESERVE!

Unfair districts result in unfair representation. People of color constitute 20% of the MA population, but less than 7% of the legislature and 0% of our Congressional delegation. Unfair districts worsen a system where the wealthy and well-connected already have too much influence through lobbyists and big campaign contributions.  Legislative priorities focus on bailouts for wealthy investors and more tax breaks for corporations while failing to address the critical needs of less wealthy communities.  Incumbents express happiness with their performance while ignoring statistics like these:

· Unemployment rates that are twice as high among black workers compared to white workers;

· 3 times as many Latinos lacking high school diplomas (36%), as the general MA population;

· Asthma affecting 1 in 6 African American children compared to 1 in 10 children of all races;

· Infant mortality rates 3 times greater in high poverty ( versus low poverty) areas;

The rising tide of inequality hurts everyone, not just people of color and the poor:

· 2/3rd of all recent economic gains have gone to the richest 1%. The richest 20% now controls 90% of all wealth, leaving little for the remaining 80% of the population.

· CEO salaries now outstrip average workers by a ratio of 324. (The ratio was 43 in 1980.)

· Unemployment remains ~8% and jobs that exist tend to have lower average wages.

Solutions are within our reach - for jobs, pathways out of poverty, quality schools, affordable higher education, healthy communities and more. But we need real democracy to gain these solutions - including fair districts.  We also need an end to prison-based gerrymandering (counting the incarcerated as voters in the prison community rather than in their home communities). Come make your voice heard for fair districts and a stronger democracy!

For more information on the redistricting issue, contact the New Democracy / Black Empowerment Coalition/ the Center for Church and Prison at 617-287-3095, or the Green-Rainbow Party at (617) 418-3756 / office@green-rainbow.org