Protesters gather at state Capitol over GOP redistricting plan
On Monday, Jan. 17, protesters met outside the Tennessee State Capitol, aiming to stop a Republican redistricting proposal that would split Nashville three ways and could lead to Democrats losing a seat in Congress. (Ian Round/Daily Memphian)
Nashville activist Odessa Kelly speaks at the protest against gerrymandering on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Kelly said progressives would continue to organize and seek to build connections with working-class voters in rural parts of the redrawn congressional districts. (Ian Round/Daily Memphian)
Lisa Sherman Luna, executive director of TIRRC Votes, also spoke at the protest. “Carve, cut or crack the districts all you want,” she said. “We will not be deterred.” (Ian Round/Daily Memphian)
Charlane Oliver, cofounder and co-executive director of The Equity Alliance, speaks Monday, Jan. 17 at a protest against Republican redistricting proposals. “We will obstruct, we will disrupt any chance we get,” Oliver said. (Ian Round/Daily Memphian)
Roughly 150-200 people protested Republican redistricting proposals on Martin Luther King Jr. Day outside the State Capitol in Nashville. Republicans in the General Assembly intend to split Nashville into three congressional districts, diluting the influence of Black voters. (Ian Round/Daily Memphian)
“This is a racist power grab for Republicans to try to cheat their way to more power,” said Charlane Oliver, cofounder and co-executive director of The Equity Alliance. “We will obstruct, we will disrupt any chance we get.”
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Tennessee General Assembly Rep Steve Cohen Jim CooperIan Round
Ian Round is The Daily Memphian’s state government reporter based in Nashville. He came to Tennessee from Maryland, where he reported on local politics for Baltimore Brew. He earned a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Maryland in December 2019.
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