WASHINGTON — Today, Hip Hop Caucus Assistant Director for the Respect My Vote! Campaign, Christopher Walton, issued the following statement in response to the recent federal district court decision in Louisiana delaying the addition of a second majority-Black Congressional district in the state’s congressional map:

“The Black population of Louisiana is being denied a fair, representative voice in state-wide elections by attempts to prevent adding a second majority-Black district to the state’s Congressional voting map. Unequal representation, much like justice delayed, is representation denied. The Hip Hop Caucus stands against political and legal gamesmanship while Black lives are on the line from environmental injustices and voter disenfranchisement, which go hand-in-hand in Louisiana.

It’s really simple math — just like in Alabama. A third of Louisiana’s population is Black and Louisiana has six Congressional districts. However, currently only one Congressional seat serves a majority Black population. Therefore, developing and approving a geographically-cohesive second district should not be complicated. This case, which is weaponizing section 2 of the Voting Rights Act against the Black communities in Louisiana, goes to show precisely why Section 4 of the Act is still necessary and should be reinstated. The people should not have to wait another election cycle for a new Congressional map that reflects the diversity of Louisiana and empowers the will of the people.”

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