Citizen Action Declares Victory for Justice
In End to Prison-Based Gerrymandering
Albany, NY – In response to the plaintiffs in Little v. LATFOR dropping their appeal, Karen Scharff, Executive Director of Citizen Action of New York, said:
By withdrawing their appeal, those who chose to argue against the principle of ‘one person, one vote’ as a key component of our democracy have affirmed that the racist, unjust practice of prison-based gerrymandering has no place in New York State. For far too long, people in prison have been used as pawns in our political system, to gain power and advantage for those who would not represent them.
As the new district lines get finalized, with people who are incarcerated counted in their home communities, this is a victory not only for those who live in communities most affected by incarceration, but for all New Yorkers who believe that no one should have more political representation than another. Ending prison-based gerrymandering is an important step toward a more just, more fair society.
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