@ISSUE • Public Hearings on Redistricting Conclude

Here's Lily Moontz, policy and research director at Mississippi Votes Action Fund.

What you'll hear a lot about is Calais, the Supreme Court decision that said that the Louisiana map is not legal anymore.

It had no bearing on Mississippi's maps.

However, it did make it easier for states to draw racist lines because now the standard is you have to show that the lines were intentionally drawn.

to be discriminatory.

That's a really hard standard to meet.

Legislators are trying to say that the Cali decision means they need to redraw districts.

That's not true.

Nothing in that decision said that Mississippi needs to redraw its maps.

So this is an unnecessary process.

It's a waste of time.

It's a waste of money.

We're going to be back at the table after the 2030 census when we are required to redistrict.

So, yeah, we just don't see a need right now.

And here's Wakinya Clanton, Mississippi State Director of the Southern Poverty Law Center, speaking to the crowd.

We deserve to know why these lines are supposed to be changed.

Why at this moment has this body across the street determined that this is the proper time to do this work? We deserve to know how communities will be affected by the racism.

And yes, I said the racism that has perpetuated by that is being perpetuated by those who claim to be operating in the best interest of this state and her people.

Another speaker, Haria Tarkin, of the Mississippi Center for Justice, vowed to keep up the fight no matter where it leads.

If they call a special session, we're going to be there.

During legislative session, we're going to be there.

During the 2030 census, we will make sure every single member of our communities are counted.

And we will be there at every step of passing these maps, because you know what? All of this is intentional, and we've clocked it.

So today, Jackson, I say ain't no power like the power of the people because the power of the people don't stop.

Let me hear you.