Terri Sewell issues statement on upcoming special session

Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) recently issued a statement decrying an upcoming special session of the Alabama Legislature on Monday to consider a primary election in the wake of the Louisiana v. Callais decision. 

According to a proclamation by Gov. Kay Ivey: 

"The Legislature may consider legislation to provide for a special primary election for electing members of the United States House of Representatives and the Alabama State Senate in districts whose boundary lines are altered by a court issuing a judgement, vacating an injunction, or otherwise ordering or permitting an alteration in the boundaries of such districts." 

Sewell claims that, if approved, the action will "dilute the voting powers" of black citizens. 

She said in the following statement: 

More from this section

How Paddington Bear ended up in the back of a police van

Stranded whale 'Timmy' released into North Sea in dramatic rescue

'No pilgrims': regional war hushes Iraq's holy cities

"Alabama Republicans are wasting no time eliminating representation for African Americans in our state. Despite Black voters making up nearly one-third of Alabama’s electorate, Republican state leaders are desperate to revert us back to a map that silences our voices, dilutes our power, and denies us a fair seat at the table.

"This corrupt move runs counter to everything John Lewis and civil rights leaders marched, fought, and bled for. It threatens to roll back centuries of hard-fought progress and demonstrates exactly why the protections of the Voting Rights Act were needed in the first place.

"The court order barring Alabama from redrawing its map still stands, and our litigating partners are ready to vigorously defend it. We will not take this sitting down. Our communities are prepared to organize, mobilize, and demand the fair representation that we as Alabama voters deserve.

"Bring it on."

The session is scheduled to take place at 4 p.m. in the Alabama State House.