“Yesterday’s decision by the Supreme Court of the United States in Louisiana v. Callais to strike down Louisiana’s congressional map, drawn to provide residents a fair opportunity to elect a candidate of their choice, is beyond troubling,” said Chairman Kyle Ishmael. “It reflects the clear intent of a Republican Party invested in racial hierarchy; a party that has abandoned true democracy because it threatens the power they are trying to preserve.
Justice Samuel Alito’s majority opinion weakens Black and minority voting power at a level that brings this country dangerously close to the years before those protections existed. They are quite literally taking our country back.
What protection remains when the very communities the Voting Rights Act was written to protect are asked to prove discrimination under a standard designed to make that proof nearly impossible?
While New York has stronger protections than many states, we are not separate from the broader impact of decisions like this. My focus is on what this requires of us now. Our responsibility is to stay focused. We make sure our clubs are informed, our voters are engaged, and our borough remains organized and prepared to speak out and fight for fair representation. We will stay coordinated with our elected officials, support efforts to protect voting rights, and continue the work that strengthens participation at every level.
The strength of our democracy shows up in how we respond in moments like this. We will stay organized, we will stay engaged, and we will keep moving forward.”