Texans Stand Up Against Right-Wing Power Grab

Last week, CWA members and retirees joined the fight against state Republican efforts to carve up neighborhoods in Texas by redrawing congressional maps so they can handpick their voters and silence opposition. These maps determine not just how voters are represented but also how funds for schools, hospitals, and other essential services will be allocated.

The Austin rally, held just hours before the first of several premature mid-decade redistricting hearings and hosted by the Texas AFL-CIO, brought together a broad coalition of progressive organizations, elected officials, and grassroots leaders committed to protecting fair representation for all Texans.

CWA District 6 Vice President Derrick Osobase delivered a message to members, writing, “While families in Central Texas are still reeling [from the historic floods], lawmakers are wasting time redrawing voting maps five years early and behind closed doors, rushing legislation that helps them cling to power and shuts regular Texans out of the voting process.

“Whether you’re Republican or Democrat, this should disturb us all. In America, we don't reward cheaters! Especially if it's at the expense of others.”

On July 30, new district maps were made available to the public. In response, CWA District 6 Campaign Lead Kristie Veit remarked, “The first draft of Texas's new congressional maps announced today leaves no doubt—lawmakers in charge will use their seats to steal and siphon away power from districts representing workers and their families. CWA will stand our ground, our voices will be heard."

In a statement, Congressman Greg Casar (Texas-35), whose district is under threat, wrote, “After signing a bill to kick 17 million Americans off their health care, Donald Trump announced he does not have a plan to win the midterm elections—instead, Trump has a plan to rig the midterm elections. Trump’s plan is to take over Texas’ elections and end protections of the Voting Rights Act for the entire country. Trump is trying to silence our communities, and we will fight back with everything we’ve got.”

 
CWA members and retirees met with Congressman Greg Casar (Texas-35) whose Austin district is currently under the gerrymandering knife, potentially disenfranchising voters.

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This post originally appeared on cwa-union.org.