Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock responded to the Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision to strike down a majority Black congressional district in Louisiana.
“John Lewis, who was my parishioner died fighting for voice in our democracy,” Senator Warnock said. “Amelia Boynton was beaten and gassed on Bloody Sunday. So many martyrs, and this decision today by the Supreme Court is a slap in the face to those who work so hard to push our country closer to its ideals.”
The court ruled that the district relied too heavily on race. Senator Warnock addressed the media on Wednesday afternoon, saying the court’s decision guts the voting rights act of 1965.
“Make no mistake, this ruling hearkens back to the darkest days of the Jim Crow era, where Black Americans were kept out of rooms of power. This is one, huge step backwards.”
Critics say the move will allow for more redistricting efforts that could help Republicans control the House.
Justice Samuel Alito, writing for the majority, called the Louisiana map an unconstitutional gerrymander.
