(BALTIMORE, MD, 10/28/2021) – The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), America’s leading Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today joined the call for the Baltimore County Council to reject a problematic redistricting map approved by the County Commission that redraws county council boundaries in a way that reduces the voting power of communities of color.
“Communities of color now make up nearly fifty percent of Baltimore County’s voting population, yet only one of the seven districts in the proposed plan reflects this demographic’s interest,” said CAIR Government Affairs Intern Huzzaifa Muhammad. “We must have council boundaries that protect the voices and voting rights especially of Black and indigenous communities who haven’t had a voice in most of our nation’s history.”
Earlier this month, the Baltimore County NAACP, ACLU of Maryland, Maryland League of Women Voters and Common Cause Maryland asserted that the draft plan is in violation of the federal Voting Rights Act because the proposed boundaries allocate only one majority minority district.
SEE: Civil rights groups, state legislators call on Baltimore County Council to reject redistricting map
Councilmembers have until January 31, 2022, to adopt a final plan.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
END
CONTACT: CAIR Office in Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, [email protected], 410-971-6062