San Antonio Community Responds to the Impacts of the Voting Rights Act Decision
MEDIA ADVISORY:
Contact:
Laura Muraida, Southwest Workers Union
210.299.2666
San Antonio Community Responds to the Impacts of the Voting Rights Act Decision
12:00pm Tuesday July 2, 2013
San Antonio Federal Court House
655 E. Cesar Chavez Blvd.
San Antonio – Last week's Supreme Court decision to strike down key pieces of the Voting Rights Act will have serious and immediate impacts in Texas. As a membership-based organization working to empower the voices of low-income communities of color, workers, and youth, Southwest Workers Union (SWU) believes the decision does not reflect the current reality of discrimination against the rising minority electorate in Texas, and sets an alarming precedent for the dilution of our civil rights.
The Voting Rights Act, the most important and effective piece of civil rights legislation that protects the freedom to vote for people of color, has expanded our potential to have an impact on the political process and society at large since its inception in 1965. And recently in Texas it has successfully prevented the 2012 Voter ID bill that placed a disproportionate burden on voters of color, youth, and elderly, and has blocked the 2011 Texas redistricting maps that were found to be enacted with “a discriminatory purpose.” Without protection of the law, both of these pieces of legislation were enacted within hours, instantly changing how, where, and who we vote for.
Aside from these immediate impacts, the decision will affect future cases of voting discrimination and rural communities will bear the brunt. Local manipulation of election rules and gerrymandering currently exists all over the state and the Voting Rights Act still plays a critical role in protecting people of color’s right to vote. These local cases, including city council, county commissions, and school boards make up the majority of rejections, and will now go unprotected and likely unable to reach litigation due to the high costs.
While we still have other pieces of the Voting Rights Act, we realize this decision will have far-reaching harmful implications in Texas politics. However, our community must continue to vocalize instances of discrimination, challenge the status quo, and highlight the impacts on the rising minority electorate in Texas. Join us Tuesday, July 2 at the Federal Court House to rally in support of a just and inclusive electoral process that protects its voters against discrimination.
For additional information and press inquiries, please contact Laura Muraida at 210.299.2666 or 917.553.1636.
