On the morning of February 4th, Mayor Tyrone Garner, The Voter Rights Network of Wyandotte County, and several other concerned voters and local organization leaders gathered at the Community Health Council of Wyandotte County offices to hold a press conference about the proposed redistricting of Wyandotte County and the third congressional district. Among those that shared their thoughts on the debate alongside Mayor Garner were Donna Young, Connie Brown Collins, Rev. Rick Behrens, Clarence Brown, Ramon Murguia, Stacey Knoell, Judy Ancel, and CHW for CHC, Alec Overmann.
These local leaders and advocates shared their thoughts on the proposed congressional redistricting map, known as the adAstra map, and how they believe it would affect our community. The proposed map would split Wyandotte County between north and south at highway I-70. Just the day before this press conference, Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed this map, but that didn’t mean the map was completely thrown out or that the conversation was complete. The speakers at this press conference used this platform to urge lawmakers to keep this veto intact and draw a map that better represents WyCo. They shared images, statistics, passion, and more to strengthen their argument that the proposed adAstra map would silence BIPOC and LGBT+ voices in our diverse community.
Clarence Brown, president of UAW Local 31 in Wyandotte County stated, “This map, if approved, will shift 46 percent of the Black population and 33% of the Hispanic population out of the third congressional district.”
Judy Ancel, president of Cross-Border Network and Mayor Garner’s Labor Liaison, shared two photocopy maps, one of the current third congressional district map and the other of the proposed redistricting adAstra map. Judy, along with many other speakers, stated that this map would silence Black, Hispanic, and Latinx votes and voices in the community.
Donna Young, executive director of CHC, discussed the HEAT report and redlining, a policy formed decades ago but still negatively affecting many communities today. She compared the practice of redlining to the issue of redistricting that was addressed throughout this press conference. Donna stated, “We are gathered here today, on the fourth day of the very month in which we highlight and celebrate the accomplishments of Black Americans, advocating for a fair district map which ensures that this vibrant and diverse community, this largely BIPOC community, has a voice in Kansas.”
To learn more about this congressional redistricting map, visit their site here.