Hundreds gather in Mississippi to protest Republican redistricting: ‘This fight is familiar territory’
Dozens of residents testify to legislature’s redistricting committee in heated hearing, the last of eight
TL;DR
- Hundreds rallied outside the Mississippi state capitol to protest Republican efforts to redraw congressional maps.
- The special session to redraw maps was called by Governor Tate Reeves shortly after a Supreme Court decision weakened the Voting Rights Act.
- Speakers at the rally drew parallels to the Civil Rights Movement and the historical fight for voting rights in Mississippi.
- A redistricting committee hearing followed the rally, where dozens of residents testified.
- Concerns were raised that the redistricting process, led by a committee primarily of white men, would disenfranchise Black voters.
- State auditor Shad White faced boos for comments targeting Congressman Bennie Thompson.
- Testimony from residents like Jesse Otto Smith and Walter Boone emphasized the historical context of disenfranchisement and the personal stakes of redistricting.
- The legislature is expected to convene a special session later this year to redraw state legislative maps, with potential targeting of Thompson's seat before the 2028 election.