April 2021 - Discussion on Defund The Police, and the Gerrymandering of Georgia
In this issue:
**Decode the Debate this Thursday: "What Does Defund The Police Really Mean?"
**Action and Events Calendar
Educate, Activate, Convene
April 2021
The most important discussion we need to have NOW:
"What Does Defund The Police Really Mean?"
Tune in this Thurs., April 29 at 12 noon at GAFSJ's Decode the Debate
Every other Thursday GAFSJ presents guest speakers who dissect, discuss, and decode the most important issues of the day.
Join the free Zoom discussion at "Decode The Debate: What Does Defund The Police Really Mean?" this Thurs., April 29 at 12 noon with Tiffany Williams Roberts of Southern Center for Human Rights and Mariah Parker, County Commissioner, Athens-Clarke District 2. Register here.
SAVE THE DATE for our 5/13 "Decode The Debate" on Biden's immigration policies and WATCH our previous Decode The Debate on 4/15 with Chris Bruce, ACLU Ga, on the 2021 Legislative Session. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdZ57M-hNxw
This is a map of gerrymandered election districts in Georgia.
New election districts that will be used in the 2022 elections will be drawn this year.
For two decades, Georgia has been the target of almost constant gerrymandering. Re-districting should be a nonpartisan effort, but history has shown how gerrymandered districts are a powerful tool to reduce the power of minority communities. In Georgia, state lawmakers get to decide where to draw the lines and the majority party in the General Assembly is in control. The recent overhaul of Georgia's election laws and the results of the 2020 election foreshadow a more aggressive push by the majority party on re-districting this year.
It is critical to contact state legislators and Legislative Committee members now. This year, because of delays due to the pandemic, the re-districting special legislative session won't start until later in the fall and the session may potentially “bump up” against the regular General Assembly session that begins in January, according to House Speaker David Ralston.
We know what to expect, but in spite of the challenges, according to Fair Districts GA: "...the 2021 redistricting cycle presents an opportunity to create a fair and representative Congressional delegation and state legislature."
What we can do now:
Here are Fair Districts GA. tips for contacting and speaking with legislators. Prepare to give your name and where you live to your legislator so they know you're a constituent. Find your legislator here. Legislators on the Reapportionment and Redistricting Committees need to hear from you as well. Find all Ga. House and Senate Legislative Committee members here, with sample scripts.
The April 12 Fair Districts Ga Town Hall provides more information and background on the process, or Indivisble's Guide To Fighting Gerrymandering in the States.
GAFSJ Action and Events Calendar
Wed., 4/28- Virtual Town Hall to Mobilize for May 8th NATIONAL VOTING RIGHTS DAY
Hosted by the Coalition for the People's Agenda and supported by Georgia Alliance for Social Justice, save the date on May 8th for a national day of activism for Voting Rights. This will take place in Atlanta at the King Center where we'll join 100 other cities taking to the streets in more than 100 "Votercades" across the country. More information here.
This Wed., 4/28 at 7 pm, attend the virtual John Lewis Mobilization Town Hall to learn more about the events on May 8th. Register here for the Virtual Town Hall.
TUES., 4/27 - ALL HANDS NEEDED! Text Bank to Sign up Black Atlantans for Vaccines from 12-4 pm
Join Georgia Equality's text bank to sign up Black Atlantans for vaccine appointments at the Mercedes Benz stadium. Black people in Georgia make up about 40% of the population, but last month the New York Times reported that only 25% of the black population in our state has been vaccinated. A LOT of people need to get vaccinated, so a LOT of volunteers are needed for this effort. Sign up today to help your neighbor!
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