Posted on 11/09/2003 7:37:53 AM PST by Theodore R.
Raymond join lawsuit to stop redistricting
Times staff reports
State Rep. Richard Raymond (D-Laredo) has added his name as a plaintiff to the consolidated lawsuit filed by various groups representing minorities against the state's proposed congressional redistricting plan.
He will appear before U.S. Department of Justice officials in Washington on Nov. 24 to present his reasons for opposing the Republican-drawn plan, which was passed by the Texas Legislature in October.
"I've said all along I would continue to fight this gross injustice, even if it means we have to take it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court," Raymond said.
All but two Democratic legislators voted against the plan and there continues to be strong opposition to the redistricting plan by many state legislators, including some Republicans.
Raymond said he felt so strongly about the negative impact of having Laredo and Webb County split in half, he decided to join the lawsuit to try to stop the map from being enacted.
"As a member of the House Redistricting Committee, who took a lead role in opposing this power grab, and, from day one, saw up close how unfair this whole process has been, I have to be part of the legal challenge," Raymond said.
"It exposes the Republicans' complete lack of respect for the long overlooked needs of the emerging Hispanic majority in Texas by splitting the county with the highest percentage of Hispanics in the entire state," he argued.
Lawsuits filed by LULAC, the Texas Democratic Party and another filed by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund on behalf of the American GI Forum have now been consolidated into one case.
Another lawsuit opposing the plan was expected to be filed by the NAACP late Friday.
A three-judge federal panel will begin hearing arguments in the case Dec. 8 and the trial will begin Dec. 11 in federal court in Austin.
Raymond argued that splitting of Webb County and diluting the voting strength of Laredoans will be the strongest point to be made during the trial, and could lead to the downfall of the new map.
"It's wrong in every way to split us in half," Raymond said. "It can't be justified by numbers, by reason or historical precedent. It can only be seen as a raw grab for power by a group that has ignored the testimony of thousands of Texans who testified in redistricting hearings."
By splitting Webb County into two districts for the first time in history, the map ignores Laredo's position as the economic, trade and cultural center of the region, he said.
"That deprives Webb County residents of their right to a strong and united voice in determining their future - the future of the fastest growing and most dynamic region of the state," Raymond said.
11/09/03
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"I've said all along I would continue to fight this gross injustice, even if it means we have to take it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court," Raymond said.< snip >
"As a member of the House Redistricting Committee, who took a lead role in opposing this power grab, and, from day one, saw up close how unfair this whole process has been, I have to be part of the legal challenge," Raymond said.
Bring it on, whiner ...
So, where's the beef?
I guess the Democrats wanted to keep control over that jewel.
-PJ
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