Religious leaders demand equality in new voting map

[rug]

By Kyle Cheney
State House News Service / September 16, 2011

Religious leaders and advocates for minority communities called on Governor Deval Patrick yesterday to reject any redistricting maps that fail to amplify the voice of black, Latino, and Asian residents of Massachusetts, arguing that they have long been underrepresented in Congress and in the Legislature.

Through prayers and pointed pleas, members of the Boston clergy - including the Rev. William Dickerson and the Rev. Jeffrey Brown - joined former Green Rainbow candidate for governor Jill Stein, state Representative Denise Andrews, Democrat of Orange, and redistricting activist Kevin Peterson to demand fairness and justice for minorities as lawmakers redraw political boundaries.

“I believe, and I am praying, that the plans that come out are going to be fair and equitable,’’ said Tito Jackson, a member of the Boston City Council.

Participants in the faith-based event stood in front of the Robert Gould Shaw Civil War Memorial and pointed collectively at the State House to emphasize at whom their message was aimed.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/09/16/religious_leaders_demand_equality_as_mass_redraws_voting_map/

[LeftishBrit]

1. Good for them; hope they're successful!