On May 8, 2023, the Court determined that “Plaintiffs have demonstrated a likelihood of success in showing that race played a predominant role in the City Council’s redrawing of Districts 3 and 4 in the enacted map, and Defendants have not demonstrated that the enacted redistricting map is narrowly tailored to achieve a compelling interest,” wrote Federal Judge Saris.
See: Federal judge throws out new Boston City Council district map
This organization is represented by District 6 Councilor Kendra Lara, who offered a new CIty-Wide map for consideration. As a District Councilor, whose district does not border Districts 3 and 4, it remains unclear why Councilor Lara has proposed a map at all.
District 6 Councilor Lara's only change to District 6 is to add Ward 20 - Precinct 08 for purposes which are unclear. There are some properties in that Precinct that have zip codes of 02131 (Roslindale) and 02132 (West Roxbury) . But this is an irrelevant argument for adding a Precinct which includes, said Councilor Lara "a development project at 'Casey's' (we think Councilor Lara was referring to 361 Belgrade). Councilor Arroyo was heard to say during the working session last Friday (5/19/23) he "knows the people of West Roxbury want Ward 20 - Precinct 08 in District 6." WE CAN NOT FIND ANY ONE WHO WOULD CORROBERATE THIS STATEMENT.
Also, the map which Councilor Lara emailed to the community did not match the map - a change to 20-08 is NOT displayed on the map which was discussed at a meeting on May 17, specifically targeting leadership from local community groups. The map is unlabeled below with bright colors - District 6 is in Purple.
An email was sent to Councilor Louijeune's staff member (shane.pac@boston.gov) to provide this Community with the maps under consideration, to which there has been no response. And the Election Department could not provide us with the number of registered voters in Boston. It was suggested we go to the last election results, and "do some math." An email to Election Department Official sabino.piemonte@boston.gov has also gone unanswered.
FOR THE REASONS LISTED ABOVE, WE DO NOT SUPPORT COUNCILOR LARA'S MAP.
We also believe that due to the lack of response by the City to request, the ACLU should delve into the validity of this process.
Additional information:
Although President Flynn made a motion for the Council “as a whole,” to assess the map, Councilor Colleta (East Boston) made a motion that voting was a Civil Rights issue and that the Committee on Civil Rights Chaired by Councilor Louijeune should be assigned the docket. Her motion was followed by Councilor Mejia stating “there was no trust in the Council as a whole,” and agreed it should be taken up by the Civil Rights Committee. Councilor Murphy, who co-chairs the Civil Rights Committee voted in favor of assigning to the “the Council as a whole,” but it failed with an 8-4 vote. Councilor Louijeune decided to set aside the other maps in favor using her submission as the starting point. Hearings continue tomorrow.
Mayor Wu's Proposed Revised Map - Source Boston Globe
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