On Wednesday, the Supreme Court effectively struck down the last remaining major provision of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
The ruling represents “a serious setback for America’s promise of a racially inclusive democracy” and could “reshape the future of political representation at all levels of government,” warned ACLU attorney Sophia Lin Lakin, the lead counsel in the case.
In a 6-3 decision in the case of Louisiana v Callais, the court gutted Section 2 of the landmark civil rights bill. As Lin Lakin explained, that provision has served as the “primary shield” against discriminatory practices like racially gerrymandered legislative districts.
Now, experts and advocates say the ruling is likely to result in a major wave of redistricting in states across the South, substantially increasing the number of Republican-controlled districts while diminishing the voices of Black communities.
“It will pave the way for the greatest reduction in representation for Black and minority voters since the years following Reconstruction,” Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-7) of the Congressional Black Caucus warned.
Representation in our systems of government is not just symbolic. As Lin Lakin wrote, “It is a vote on whether your child’s school gets funded, whether your neighborhood gets flood relief, and whether your community’s healthcare survives the next budget.”
As people of faith, voting rights are how we live out our belief in the equal and divine worth of all people, and our vision of a society where all voices are equally valued and heard.
This Supreme Court decision is a tragic blow to the progress made by generations of courageous civil rights advocates, who struggled and sacrificed so much to bring the Voting Rights Act into law.
But as the ACLU reminded us, “every major civil rights victory in our history grew out of setbacks like this one.”
While the path ahead will be hard, we must not give up on the struggle to achieve a truly just, inclusive democracy for all.
Elsewhere
Partial Shutdown Ends
After nearly three months of a shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Congress funded most of DHS while leaving calls to reform the rogue immigration enforcement of ICE and CBP unanswered. We need policy guardrails – we can’t keep funding agencies to oppress our communities and kill people in the street.
Unfortunately, Congressional leaders plan to pass funding for immigration enforcement through a budget reconciliation process without major reforms – of up to $140 billion. This begs the question: Why this urgency to fund a cruel immigration system that is hurting our neighbors?
Tell Congress that we can’t have another blank check for immigration enforcement.
Flotilla for Gaza
Gaza is still suffering under a severe lack of aid as Palestinians struggle to recover from a genocidal war. Israel is blocking the resources they need. An international convoy, the Sumud Flotilla, is seeking to supply some of these needs. Many of the boats of the flotilla were seized this week in international waters by the Israeli military, with activists detained including a Maryland Quaker.
As we hold the people of Gaza in the light, we urge lawmakers to call for the protection of the activists and an end to Israel’s aid restrictions.
Get ready for the midterms!
With the midterm elections around the corner, control of Congress for President Trump’s final years in office will be determined. Dozens of new faces will join the House and Senate while longtime legislators retire or lose re-election. We must seize these opportunities to build relationships with candidates across the political spectrum!
From Quakers around the world
- Read an open letter from Friends in Alabama to Christian leaders, calling on them “to stand visibly and unequivocally for the humane treatment of immigrants. Speak from the pulpit, educate congregations, accompany affected families, and advocate for policies and practices grounded in compassion.”
In light of the tensions between the governments of Cuba and the United States, FCNL reached out to Friends in Cuba. They shared a reflection calling for humanitarian aid and peace among nations.
