ANNAPOLIS, MD — Yesterday, December 8th, more than 50 people from across Maryland gathered near the steps of the State Capitol in Annapolis, MD to make their voices heard about the new Congressional maps that were proposed by the Legislative Redistricting Advisory Commission and passed by the Maryland General Assembly. The rally was organized by The League of Women Voters of Maryland, in collaboration with The People’s Maps Maryland. This non-partisan coalition strives to bring better representation to communities of interest and encourages all Marylanders to lend their voices to the democratic process.

The rally featured redistricting, social justice, and voting rights leaders who highlighted the importance of:

● Making sure that communities of interest that will have fair and equitable representation by enabling them to vote in the same election districts with others who have like interests. Whenever possible, drawing maps so any block of voters isn’t drowned out by an overwhelming majority of a single party thus assuring the votes aren’t wasted.

● One person, One vote is the goal for all and any maps drawn. Maps shouldn’t be drawn so any block of voters is drowned out by gerrymandered blocks

● Passing the federal Freedom to Vote Act that will protect our voting rights, get big money out of politics, ensure fair voting districts, and help to create a democracy that works for all.

The event began with the crowd chanting: “Fair maps for Us, Not for You!.” A call to all elected
officials to remember that they serve the people not their own interests. Deborah Mitchell, Co-President of the League of Women Voters of Maryland spoke at the event saying “I’m not an expert on redistricting, but I am an expert on the lived experience of injustice. I’m telling you the politicians drawing lines to protect their power is an injustice.” Reverend Kobe Little, President of Baltimore County NAACP, stressed the importance of hearing the voters, “We have to vote in every election. That means we have to hold our elected officials accountable to the commitments they make when they promise them. That means we can’t just send people to office; we have to go with them. We have to show up.”