For Immediate Release
Baton Rouge, LA– On Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at 10 a.m. (CST) Power Coalition for Equity and Justice (PCEJ) will take action at the Louisiana State Capitol in solidarity with the plaintiffs of the Alabama redistricting case, Merrill v. Milligan. PCEJ, a plaintiff in the Robinson v. Ardoin case, will bring buses of people from across the state of Louisiana to learn more about the redistricting happenings that lead up to the case filing and speak to the importance of upholding the Voting Rights act of 1965 and ensuring Black and brown voices are heard and accurately represented. Activists and organizers will speak to the press about the work that has been done and continues to be needed in Louisiana to ensure Black and brown communities have their needs met.
“Our case, Robinson v. Ardoin, is slated to be heard in the Spring 2023, but we’re taking action now with Alabama to show our support and make it known that we need the Voting Rights Act and other federal protections to help us continue to expand democracy,” said Ashley Shelton, CEO for PCEJ. “The issue of fair representation for Black and brown voters isn’t happening in just Louisiana. It’s happening across the nation. The ruling in Merril v. Milligan will impact the Voting Rights Act as we know it. This is the most significant voting rights issue of our time, and for that reason we need our state legislators to know we are not stopping. This fight is about more than the racist and illegal maps that were passed. This fight is about the future of voting in our state and the ability of Black and brown voters to elect candidates of choice.”
The Merrill v. Milligan case reached the Supreme Court back in January 2022 after grassroots organizers at Alabama Values challenged maps passed by the Alabama legislature that unfairly diluted the voting power of Black Alabamians and failed to provide accurate representation of minorities in the state following the census data released in 2020. The plaintiffs in Merrill v. Milligan have been fighting since then to ensure the minorities in Alabama have fair and accurate representation and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is upheld. The Merrill v. Milligan case arguments are scheduled to be heard at the Supreme Court on October 4. 2022.
What: Power on the Line Solidarity Action: Deferred Not Defeated
Who: Ashley Shelton, CEO for Power Coalition
Where: Louisiana State Capitol (900 North Third Street Baton Rouge, LA 70802)
When: Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at 10 a.m. (CST)/ Press Conference held at 12 p.m. (CST)
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Power Coalition for Equity and Justice (PCEJ) is dedicated to supporting and coordinating civic and voter engagement across Louisiana. We are guided by values of justice and racial equity and work with our partners to build an integrated civic engagement strategy that amplifies the voices of those who have historically been ignored, and organize them into a unified movement. PCEJ focuses on building power in traditionally marginalized communities, particularly Black and Brown communities, by equipping people with the knowledge and information they need to find their voice and learn where and when to use it.
Contact Information:
Ashley Shelton, CEO for Power Coalition
Email: ashelton@powercoalition.org
Phone: 225-802-2435
Marissa Hogan, Communications Associate
Email: mhogan@powercoalition.org
Phone:504-952-4287