Protest Against Texas Redistricting
By Mia Rotell
On Saturday, August 16th, dozens gathered on sidewalk corners in Riverside’s Market St. and University Ave. intersection to support the “Fight the Trump Takeover” protests. The rallies were in response to the Trump Administration’s push for Congressional redistricting in Texas.
Participants held signs, waved flags, and crossed the street shouting “Hey-hey! Ho-ho! Donald Trump has got to go!”
The redistricting plans for Texas could heavily alter the number of Republican and Democrat representatives that hold seats in Congress. The seat changes could potentially create an inaccurate representation in Congress — which could strongly affect federal funding, create ineffective legislation, imbalance electoral votes, etc.
Republicans currently frame redistricting as a way to ensure representation as the state grows. Democrats disagree with the redistricting by saying it’s an attempt to unfairly gain 5 more seats for the Republican party — in a midterm election that typically favors the opposing side. Redistricting has normally taken place after census surveys have been given out in years that end in zero.
Rally participants worry that the redistricting plans will spread to the other 49 states — especially California.
A supporter, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of retribution, said, “It’s our civic duty to fight back against what’s going on in our country right now”.
California Governor, Gavin Newsom, has proposed a ballot initiative for this November. Voters are encouraged to weigh in on whether California should also redistrict in response to the Texas effort.
The protest in Riverside was organized by Marcella Waggoner who has been the event coordinator for the progressive advocacy group, Indivisible Riverside, for 9 years. She said that she and the rest of California are fighting back against the “gerrymandering” going on in Texas. “We’re indivisible. You cannot break us.”
