The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for March 12, 2025
On the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama, we’re examining how the landmark protections it moved forward in the Voting Rights Act of 1965 are now being dismantled by the U.S. Supreme Court’s far right majority. Louisiana v. Callais may be the next blow.
What started out as brazen racial gerrymandering in 2022 by the Louisiana legislature, has devolved into a new tactic to undo more of the already-weakened VRA. Lower courts ordered the legislature to draw new, fairer maps. After initial defiance, it drew two majority-minority Congressional districts to allow concentrations of the state’s 33% Black population to elect the candidate of their choice.
In 2024, a group of QUOTE “non-African American voters” appealed. They claim that the new districts are a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment – making the redistricting decisions based on race – and should be struck down. In 2023’s striking down of affirmative action, Justices Alito, Gorsuch and Thomas pointed to the Equal Protection Clause, as did Alito in his 2023 dissent in Alabama’s Milligan racial gerrymandering decision.
When oral arguments begin on March 24th, all eyes will be on Justices Kavanaugh & Coney-Barrett, who upheld the VRA’s Section 2 in the Alabama decision, but who also concurred with parts of Thomas’ Equal Protection Clause dissent.
The voting rights for which the Selma marchers shed blood may indeed be in jeopardy. We have more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
U.S. Supreme Court – Docket for Louisiana v. Callais
All About Redistricting – Louisiana v. Callais
Brennan Center for Justice – Black Louisianians Fight in Court to Preserve Fair Voting Map
SCOTUSBlog – Milligan Decision: Supreme Court upholds Section 2 of Voting Rights Act
Campaign Legal Center – Supreme Court’s Impact on Voting Rights Is a Threat to Democracy
Legal Defense Fund – Louisiana v. Callais FAQ
National Constitution Center – Supreme Court rules against universities in affirmative action decision
Groups Taking Action:
Legal Defense Fund, Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, ACLU of Louisiana
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
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