Rep. Terri Sewell, Chairman Steven Horsford, and Congressional Black Caucus issue statement on Amicus Brief objecting to Alabama Congressional Map
Last week, Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL07), Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chairman Steven Horsford (NV-04), and members of the Congressional Black Caucus commented on their amicus brief filed by the CBC in the Northern District of Alabama. The CBC is upset that the Alabama Legislature failed to submit a new congressional map with two majority Black districts in July’s special session, so they have filed the amicus brief supporting Milligan and the other parties challenging the state’s congressional redistricting. “In defiance of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Allen v. Milligan, the Republican-controlled Alabama State Legislature has yet to redraw its congressional district map to include a second majority Black district—falling far beneath the goal set by the highest court in the land,” the CBC members said in a statement. “Instead of creating a second district where Black voters would have an opportunity to elect a Black-preferred candidate in compliance with the U.S. Supreme Court ruling, the Alabama State Legislature chose to again put forth a map that robs Black voters of their fundamental rights at the ballot box.” “Therefore, the Congressional Black Caucus filed an amicus brief in the United States District Court in the Northern District of Alabama objecting to the newly enacted congressional district map because we will not stand by and allow improper, racially discriminatory maps to stand without challenge,” the CBC Congressmembers concluded. Horsford came to Birmingham on Friday for a Congressional Black Caucus Institute (CBCI) event, the same day that former President Donald Trump came to Alabama. The CBCI hosted a mobilizer training session to educate participants on effective community mobilization, grassroots efforts, and impactful communication techniques to drive social change. Following the training, Sewell and Horsford hosted a panel discussion with Miles College President Bobbie Knight, Lawson State Community College President Cynthia Anthony, Interim Special Assistant to the President for Strategic Planning and Initiatives at Alabama A&M University Jackie Robinson, III, Community Activist Dee Reed, and Birmingham Urban League President and CEO William Barnes. The conversation was moderated by journalist Roland Martin and focused on pressing issues of democracy and racial equity, including attacks on Black history, the erosion of affirmative action, the state of voting rights, and the critical role of HBCUs in shaping our path forward. The Congressional Black Caucus claims that having only one majority Black district in Alabama – where 27% of the voting population is Black – violates the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The three-judge panel in Atlanta will hear both party’s cases later this month. It is likely that whichever side loses at the Eleventh Court of Appeals will ask the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene in the case. Many national pundits and legal scholars have to this point, questioned the Republican-controlled State Legislature’s congressional map. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Congressional Black Caucus Institute coming to Birmingham for “Democracy For the People” Tour
The Congressional Black Caucus Institute (CBCI) is hosting a series of town halls and mobilizer trainings across the nation on the most pressing matters of democracy and racial equity in America. The CBCI tour will be in Birmingham on Friday. There they will be welcomed by Congresswoman Rep Terri Sewell (D-AL07). The CBCI’s Democracy For The People nationwide tour will visit over ten cities. Each two-part event offers a vital town hall with CBC Members and a comprehensive organizer training on pressing matters of democracy and racial equality in America. This program ensures that the voices and concerns of marginalized communities are not only heard but also heeded by decision-makers at the pinnacle of policymaking. Each leg of the tour will also facilitate voter registration and connect the community to newly trained personnel. Visiting Birmingham will be Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chairman Steven Horsford (D-Nevada) for the continuation of the CBCI’s “Democracy For The People” nationwide tour. Rep. Sewell will join the CBCI for a comprehensive organizer training and town hall on the most pressing matters of democracy and racial equity in America. The CBCI will host a mobilizer training session Friday morning with community organizers to educate participants on effective community mobilization, grassroots efforts, and impactful communication techniques to drive social change. This is a closed event by invitation only. From 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. CDT, Rep. Sewell and Chairman Horsford will lead a town hall at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute with civic leaders and advocacy groups. Members of the community are encouraged to join the town hall event. Joining Sewell and Horsford at the town hall will be Award-winning journalist Roland Martin, Miles College President Bobbie Knight, President of Lawson State Community College President Cynthia Anthony, President of Alabama A&M University Daniel Wims, Community Organizer Deer Reed, and President and CEO of the Birmingham Urban League William Barnes. “We know that these challenges didn’t begin last year, a generation ago, or even a century past,” said CBCI Executive Director Vanessa Griddine Jones. “2022’s threats to our democracy, our health, our bodies, and our resources are rooted in slavery, colonialism, and racism that were tools of a system designed to stunt our growth and paralyze our progress. And, sadly, that system still works like a well-oiled machine.” “CBCI has partnered with corporations, faith-based and civil rights organizations, NGOs, and other like-minded individuals to identify the issues and seek viable, actionable solutions that are transparent and accountable,” said Executive Director Griddine-Jones. “To this end, CBCI has organized high-level non-partisan, political education training, conducted webinars to address disparities in health, education, financial wealth and as always systemic racism.” The CBCI describes itself as a resolute and transformative force dedicated to empowering and uplifting African Americans and communities of color across the United States. As the 501(c)(4) educational and research arm of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), the CBCI embraces the mission of advancing social, economic, and political equality through innovative programs, policy advocacy, and strategic partnerships. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Terri Sewell votes in favor of public safety legislation
Congresswoman Terri Sewell voted in favor of four major public safety bills on Thursday. The Democratic bill’s sponsors hope they will deliver new federal resources to break the cycle of violence and build safer communities. This package of four bills passed the House of Representatives on Thursday. “Making our communities safer for our children and families has always been a top priority of mine in Congress, and that’s exactly what this legislation would do,” said Rep. Sewell. “Together, these bills would ensure that our local community organizations, local law enforcement, and especially rural police departments have the tools they need to keep Alabamians safe. With House passage of these bills, we’re one step closer to delivering deeply needed investments to prevent crime, boost community violence prevention, strengthen police accountability, and save lives.” The Invest to Protect Act was sponsored by Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-New Jersey) and passed with a 360 to 64 vote. Nine Democrats and 55 Republicans voted against the bill. The legislation would allocate federal grants to small law enforcement agencies that encompass fewer than 125 officers. The Break the Cycle of Violence Act was sponsored by Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nevada). It passed 220 to 207. Only one Republican, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (Pennsylvania), voted in favor. The legislation awards grants for coordinated community violence initiatives in areas that see a disproportionate amount of homicides and other forms of violence. The grants, from the Department of Health and Human Services, would be used to curb violent behavior. The Mental Health Justice Act was sponsored by Rep. Katie Porter (D-California). It awards funds to train and assign mental health professionals to respond to situations involving individuals with special behavioral needs, rather than sending law enforcement personnel. The measure passed 223 to 206, with three Republicans voting in favor. The VICTIM Act was sponsored by Rep. Val Demings (D-Florida). It creates a grant program that would give law enforcement agencies new funding to hire and train detectives to investigate homicides, sexual assaults, and other violent crimes. It also ensures that victim services are funded, staffed, and trained to address the needs of survivors and family members and provides federal funding to acquire and upgrade investigative technology to better process evidence. The bill passed in a 250 to 178 vote, with 30 Republicans joining all Democrats present in supporting the legislation. Sewell said that this legislation builds on President Joe Biden and Congressional Democrats’ ongoing work to build safer communities in Alabama and across the country. Sewell is in her sixth term representing Alabama’s Seventh Congressional District. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
