Mobile City Councilman Cory Penn said he believes the U.S. Supreme Court decision on redistricting based on race and Alabama's reaction to it is "intentional racial discrimination."
Penn and two other council members voiced opposition to Gov. Kay Ivey's special session on restricting.
Penn said he has received emails concerning how people in his district could be affected. He asked everyone in the council chambers to look around to notice and appreciate the diversity.
"We represent a city that's moving forward together, and right now, what we're seeing in our state, we're not seeing that," Penn said. "We're not seeing us move forward together."
Penn claimed that voices at the ballot box could be affected and that representation and candidates could change. He said people are calling him because they are worried changes will confuse voters.
"Some people have started voting, but depending on what happens in court, these elections could be disrupted, delayed, and redone entirely," Penn said. "That creates confusion, uncertainty and frustration for voters."
For seven minutes, Penn outlined how the state was "forced" to create the seats of U.S. Reps. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham) and Shomari Figures (D-Mobile), to have two "majority black congressional seats." However, he said the Trump administration is allowing Alabama to propose maps "drawn with intentional racial discrimination."
"I'll be honest with you. I'm disappointed. I'm disappointed. I'm angry, and I'm upset because we as a community should be better than that," Penn said.
Penn said even those who disagree should want their neighbors to have a voice.
"Just because we disagree with people, that don't mean that we have to term them as evil people," said Penn. "We just disagree. But everyone should have a voice. Everyone should have a voice. I'm disappointed because instead of us using taxpayers' money to improve education, strengthen our economy, fix this infrastructure, address these real challenges in our community, that we're facing – gas. It's people housing that I'm going to, who are, they have holes in their roof, and we up here are fighting about just representation where we can be coming together as a community. I'm disappointed at a time when people are asking for unity and progress, we're seeing actions that could divide the community and weaken the voices of many Alabamians. And most of all, I'm disappointed because every resident, no matter where you live or what you look like, deserve to feel like your vote matters and your voice is heard."
Councilmen Samantha Ingram and C.J. Small also voiced disapproval of the special session.
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