Civil Rights Leaders, Sharpton, MLK III, Respond To New Census Data

United States Census Bureau released the results of the decennial census, which will be used to decide Congressional apportionme

Photo: Census Bureau

Thursday, the United States Census Bureau released the results of the decennial census, which will be used to decide Congressional apportionment and billions in federal funding.

Martin Luther King III, Chairman of the Drum Major Institute and civil rights leader behind the March On for Voting Rights, issued the following statement in response:

“This new data shows that our country is more diverse than ever, but from history we know that when we make progress, we inevitably face backlash. Some elected officials are afraid that if they embrace a more diverse America, they will lose their power. Those same people are willing to weaponize the new Census data to gerrymander the vote and rig the system against Black and Brown Americans. We need federal legislation to stop it because, in a democracy, voters choose their representatives, not the other way around. As my father always said, a voteless people is a powerless people. We’re marching to end gerrymandering and make sure every vote is counted equally.”

Rev. Al Sharpton, President and Founder of National Action Network and civil rights leader behind the March On For Voting Rights, issued the following statement in response:

“The newly released census data quantifies the growing diversity in this nation and heightens the urgency for political representation and the protection of voter rights. When it comes to choice and power in politics, marginalized groups that built this country have been silenced historically and many across racial lines are galvanizing to oppose the assaults on voting rights. With the distribution of these results—and the consequences on political representation—it is clear the struggle for a political voice will continue. The census results underscore the urgent need for Congress to move forward and ensure that the political voice of every American is heard.”

For more information, visit https://marchonforvotingrights.org.

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