Rally at final Mississippi redistricting hearing calls to protect Black voting power

The demonstration was centered on concerns that new legislative districts could weaken Black political representation in Mississippi. 

Lydia Grizzell, policy and advocacy manager for the ACLU of Mississippi, said organizers heard a consistent message from communities across the state.

“We don’t want political power, Black political power, to be diluted,” Grizzell said.

She noted that the state’s Black population was 37.7% according to the 2020 census and argued that political representation should reflect that demographic.

“We are carrying, we’re standing on the shoulders of the civil rights activists who came before us,” Grizzell said. “The voting rights activists that made sure that the Voting Rights Act of 1965 passed initially, that eliminated poll taxes and test, and making sure that we’re not going back to that.”

Lily Moens, policy and research director for the Mississippi Votes Action Fund, said the organization wanted residents to understand how the redistricting process could affect their communities. 

“We’re just going to continue educating folks on the process,” Moens said. “As we see legislators potentially call a special session in the next few months, we’ll make sure that people are aware of that and are engaging with their representatives.”

Moens argued that redistricting before the 2030 census is unnecessary and said the organization will continue voter education and registration efforts.

“We’re also going to make sure that we carry this momentum to the polls in November,” Moens said. “Who represents you is who is making decisions at the state capitol that will affect your everyday life.”

During the program, supporters held a sign displaying a QR code for attendees to sign up to speak at the hearing. At previous meetings, members of the audience were unable to speak.
One central issue raised by advocates was the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais. 
Amir Badat, Southern states director and senior advisor for Fair Fight Action, worked on a redistricting challenge in DeSoto County.

A lawsuit filed against the county brought a Section 2 Voting Rights Act claim before Callais was decided. After the ruling, advocates faced greater hurdles proving statutory violations under the court's updated standards.

“We no longer have the same protection against racist redistricting that we did just a few months ago before the Callais decision came down,” Badat said.

Badat noted that the ruling in Louisiana does not force Mississippi to redraw its legislative maps.
“It's a real risk that we're going to see black political representation, minority political representation roll back in ways that we haven't seen in a long time,” Badat said. “So I think the fear that so many young people have about losing their rights, losing their protections, that's a real one.”

At the rally, speakers referenced civil rights activists including Fannie Lou Hamer and Medgar Evers, while organizers urged residents to participate in the public hearing and upcoming elections.

Tredrick Johnson, a Mississippi representative for Omega Psi Phi, said fraternity members attended hearings statewide. He called the proposed redistricting process “untimely,” “unnecessary” and “very expensive,” warning that redrawn maps could undermine Black political influence.

Among those at the rally was Ambassador Sheik Imam Akbar, who identified himself as an ambassador for the Black Panther Party movement and other Black activist networks in Jackson. Akbar said the group was concerned about redistricting as well as broader political participation and representation. He connected the issue to the ability of Black communities to influence elections and said activists should continue organizing around voting and political power.

“The manner in which they intend to redraw those district lines will push the vote in the favor of the red and push it against those black voters who have given their lives to vote,” Akbar said. “And we're counting on that vote to remain as it was or the structure in which the environment in which their vote will remain the same.”

Safia Malin, policy director for One Voice Mississippi, said community participation is an important part of the redistricting process. Malin said the organization wanted residents to have opportunities to speak for themselves and advocate for representatives who reflect their interests. She also pointed to a connection between redistricting and elections.

“I think there's an important connection between what happens today and what happens at the ballot box.,” Malin said. “I think it's important for community members to have the opportunity to speak for and advocate for themselves and to have representatives and elected officials that represent their interests.”

Randi Willis-Smelcer of Carroll County said she attended every hearing across the state to ensure public visibility. Smelcer expressed concern about how potential line changes could impact future generations and urged state leaders to maintain transparent decision-making that reflects Mississippi's demographics.

“They have been trying to pack and crack black districts for like my entire life and then some since the 80s. The fact that there's not equal representation in this state shows on the face of it when you have half the state are black Mississippians and yet almost none of our larger elected bodies are made up with anywhere near that equal of a split, it just doesn't make sense. Representation matters.”

The rally also drew younger Mississippians.

Aznii Welchlin, student government president-elect at Tougaloo College, attended her first redistricting hearing and said students plan to continue organizing regardless of legislative action.

“I'm here today because they are trying, the government is trying to actively dilute our voting power and as black people this is something that has been happening to us forever and we're here to stop it.” 

Jackson State University student Jakari Holland said Mississippi's political system does not work equally for everyone. 

“As a 21-year-old black man, I shouldn't have to be standing here today. Another hearing, another fight over voter suppression. Another generation of black Mississippians being asked to organize and demand that our very voices matter.”

Tougaloo College student and activist De’Avion Butler noted that modifying district lines ahead of the upcoming midterm elections could suppress voter turnout in vulnerable communities.

“With the fact we are not dealing with the issue with the Mississippi state trying to redraw the district lines right before midterms is becoming an issue because it's going to end with a lot of people that look like us, a lot of communities not getting their voices heard, and it's a problem.” 

Organizers said their work will continue beyond the final hearing. They plan to monitor whether lawmakers call a special session and encourage residents to remain engaged with their elected officials.

The hearing itself marked the end of the public portion of the statewide redistricting tour, but it did not determine whether Mississippi will redraw its maps.

The next steps depend on decisions by state lawmakers. Badat said districts where Black voters currently have the ability to elect candidates of their choice could be affected if new maps are drawn, but he acknowledged the Legislature could also choose to leave the current maps in place.