The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on all states to oppose efforts to dilute Black political representation after a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that dealt a blow to protections under the Voting Rights Act.
In a 6–3 ruling, the court significantly narrowed the scope of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, making it substantially harder to challenge voting maps that disproportionately disadvantage minority communities. By requiring plaintiffs to prove intentional discrimination, rather than allowing challenges based on discriminatory outcomes, the decision alters decades of precedent and limits one of the most important legal tools for combating racial inequities in the electoral process.
In a statement, Washington, D.C., based CAIR said:
“We strongly disagree with the Supreme Court’s decision to weaken the Voting Rights Act, which helped undo centuries of racist oppression that excluded Black Americans from the political process.
“State legislators in numerous states have clearly shown an eagerness and a willingness to disenfranchise Black voters when given the opportunity, and today’s ruling could increase the risk of new attempts to do so.
“We encourage all state legislators to strongly oppose any efforts to limit the political participation of Black Americans or dilute the presence of Black elected officials.”
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com