New America Media, Event, Dana Levine, Posted: Oct 04, 2011

NEW AMERICA MEDIA INVITES YOU TO A SPECIAL BRIEFING

Florida Redistricting 2011:
Protecting Minority Rights for the Next 10 Years

In the 2010 Census, Florida's population grew by nearly 18 percent -- far outpacing the national growth rate -- adding 2.8 million residents and two congressional seats. With Hispanics now comprising nearly a quarter of the state's population and  blacks making up another 15 percent, Florida is on pace to overtake New York as the third most populous state in the 2020 Census.

But despite vows of transparency in how congressional boundaries will be redrawn, and driven by fears that ethnic voters could swing Democratic, the GOP-dominated Florida legislature has not release redistricting maps to the public. This is raising concerns that the new plan could divide the Latino, African-American, and Asian populations and dilute their political strength.

Learn how redistricting could increase or diminish minority voting power throughout Florida and what civic activists are doing to assure that new redistricting lines don't further dilute the power of black, Hispanic and Asian populations. 

How does partisanship affect redistricting in Florida and how lawmakers approach the Voting Rights Act?

How could the GOP maps in Florida affect immigration policy and voting rights issues at the state and national level?

What can minority communities do to protect their interests during the redistricting process as it continues at the county and citywide level?

What: A luncheon panel discussion with ethnic media

Where: Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay
              1633 North Bayshore Drive, Miami, FL 33132

When: Thursday, October 6th, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

RSVP to: Alex Moe
                 amoe@newamericamedia.org (202-758-3308

                 Cheryl Aguilar
                 caguilar@newamericamedia.org (202-360-7867)