Written by Tanya Terry
Featured photo: Bishop Chris Martin, president of the Genesee County Church of God in Christ Alliance, emphasized that a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision particularly threatened the Church of God in Christ’s international headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee
A press conference with local and state government officials and clergy was held on May 4, at Cathedral of Faith Church, to address concerns about the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that gutted Section Two of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The ruling allows states to redraw congressional districts in ways the speakers said dilutes Black voting power, eliminates majority-Black districts and makes it harder to challenge discriminatory redistricting in court.
Bishop Chris Martin, president of the Genesee County Church of God in Christ Alliance, emphasized that this decision particularly threatened the Church of God in Christ’s international headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee, where Representative Steve Cohen represents a majority-Black city.
After a week of intense debate, Democratic walkouts, and protests at the state capitol following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision, on May 7, Tennessee lawmakers approved an emergency, Republican-led redistricting map. The map split Shelby County into three separate districts. The new maps merge city residents with distant rural, conservative voters to create a potential 8-1 Republican advantage in the state.
Cohen and several other individuals filed a lawsuit against Governor Bill Lee and state officials. They alleged the map was unconstitutional. The NAACP also filed a lawsuit to challenge the new map,
McDonald Rivet said it is long past time for us to honor the legacy of John Lewis with a little “good trouble” of our own and pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
“It would ensure further protections to make sure everyone, no matter their zip code, gets the representation they deserve,” she added.
She also called for an end to gerrymandering and for the Supreme Court to be reformed.
Mayor Sheldon Neeley said Michigan residents don’t have to wait until such redistricting attempts hit Michigan.
“Bells are ringing, and this is a call for us all to come together,” Neeley added. ”
“We are standing here today to say that this is 3/5 on steroids,” said Flint City Councilwoman Candice Mushatt.
Mushatt added“everyone who believes in democracy and everyone who believes in a free country needs to stand up and say that everyone will have the opportunity to pick whom will represent them.”
Domonique Clemons, Genesee County clerk and register of deeds, said he was appalled, as the first Black county clerk in the history of Genesee County, that we’re even having these conversations again.
“Flint knows what happens when voices of a community are silenced, and when we’re ignored,” Clemons added.” We’ve seen what happens when power is centralized away from the people. And this ruling is just a green light for that same kind of systemic racism and silencing to happen now at the ballot box.”
Bishop Roger L. Jones stated that when he grew up in the South, there were separate bathroom facilities, separate bus stations, separate train stations and systemic racism.:
Jones added “second class citizenship should be eliminated and should have been eliminated.”
The speakers outlined concrete steps including voter registration drives, voter education programs through “Saints and Civics,” transportation to polls, and engagement with Southern communities facing gerrymandering. They emphasized that African American voters represent a powerful voting bloc and urged high turnout at all levels of elections, from local to federal races.
