More than 100 Long Island residents crammed into a community forum in Brentwood on Monday night to fight for New York State electoral districts that adequately represent communities of color.
Two weeks ago, a New York State Legislature task force presented new state Senate and Assembly district maps as part of a statewide redistricting process that takes place every 10 years.
Similar to what has occurred in the past, several Long Island communities of color have been “cracked” by the new district lines, and will have diminished electoral power, according to Common Cause NY, a good government group that spoke at the Brentwood forum.
Residents in attendance agreed.
“It’s important to us to be able to have someone within our district, from our communities,” said Maria Williams, a member of the NAACP. “And when they break up the communities in such a way that we can’t ever choose someone from within, then that’s a problem.”
In addition to Common Cause, forum attendees heard from the NAACP, La Fuente, and the Long Island Immigrant Alliance. The message from presenters was clear: Turn out for the redistricting hearing on February 9 and make your voice heard.
To sign up to speak at the February 9 hearing on redistricting at the Suffolk County Legislature in Smithtown, click here.
Click below to watch video from Long Island Wins reporter Ana Llácer:
