By Joey Arellano
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – “My heart is heavy today as the Governor signs into law an unconstitutional Congressional Redistricting map into effect. My heart aches because it is blatantly obvious that these maps are aimed at suppressing Black voting power in Florida. It’s the slashing of 50% of protected Black districts and the ultimate regression of our state back to a time before the Reconstruction era in the 1800s,” said Representative Daryl Campbell (D-Ft. Lauderdale) in response to the Governor signing his own proposed congressional district map into law.
“I am blessed to be where I am at today because of civil rights activists like Carrie Meeks, Corrine Brown, Alcee Hastings, and Frederica Wilson, not only because of their activism post-Reconstruction, but because they allowed people like me to believe that I could one day be like them and the many other great public servants before me. Representation matters not only in policy and practice, but mentally and emotionally as well. Seeing others who looked like me set the precedence for me as a young Black man to believe I can continue to empower individuals that look like me to take their crowns and affect change.
“The issue here is not just one that affects Black voters. It affects every single voter in the state and beyond. When the constitution and Fair Districts Amendments of Florida and the US Constitution are violated, it is detrimental to every single voter and every single aspect of our democratic society.”