The Census of 2021 showed that in Florida, the largest population growth in the last decade was from Latinos and other communities of color, but the new maps that the legislature will approve in a couple of weeks will deny them fair and equal representation at the state and federal level for the next decade.
This it will aggravate the socio-economic disparities that already exist in the state, something very concerning since Latinos understand the 25% of the population of that state.
During the videoconference : “Florida redistricting leaves out Latinos, the largest ethnic group. Activists ask for public testimony before the Legislature approves new maps”, organized by Ethnic Media Services, Kira Romero-Crofts, director of the organization Latino Justice, indicated that the legislature has failed to adhere to the Voting Rights Act by not creating majority-Latino districts, despite the unprecedented growth of the Latino population of over 25% in the last 10 years.
“We will not have majority minority seats or Latino seats as a result of how the maps are being drawn”.
For that reason, he made it clear that they are asking for the process to slow down. “Latino Justice along with other partners and representatives of minorities in the state, we will ensure that the public understands the process, and we will put pressure on the legislature to form districts of minority majority where possible”.
Latino Justice is a civil rights organization, which in the last decade has worked on the redesign of districts in Florida, and managed to create in 2010, the first Latino district for Congress.
Lack of transparency
Johanna Lopez, a member of the Orange County Board of Directors, said she is concerned about the lack of transparency and public participation in the redesign process in the state of Florida, because it will worsen existing disparities.
“I am proud of our schools, but we need to make sure we have equitable funding from the state so that our 200,000 students continue to advance and have the same opportunities as children in other districts”.
He specified that in his district, they need additional support for students who are learning English and who speak more of 98 languages and dialects, especially for those impacted by covid and to protect those who are undocumented.
“The legislature needs to listen to us before approving any redistricting plan, because redistricting that disenfranchises our community has profound and lasting consequences” .
He added that “Central Florida needs a fair and equitable redistricting plan.”
Cecilia Gonzalez, a member of the Osceola County community, said that a One of the things that motivated her to be an organizer was the fact that many Latinas are marginalized, not just Latinos and communities of color.
“I feel that we should fight for better representation to ensure that Latinos have opportunities, are taken into consideration and part of the decisions”.
He said that Latinos also have to understand that “We put politicians in their seats and we can remove them, and voters want to put people who look like them.”
The reality, he pointed out, is that we do not have a fair redesign.
A difficult topic
Father José Rodriguez of Iglesia Episcopal Jesús de Nazaret in Oviedo, Florida, which serves many undocumented Latino Latinos, said that one of the most difficult things as a pastor is, Believe it or not, the issue of redistribution.
“The election lines have artificially divided us. They muffle our voice; and they keep the neighbors from being heard”.
He explained that in the community he serves, there are two districts, so they are divided in half.
“Whenever we want to do something, they tell us oh no, go with this congressman, and this one says that the other . I am aware, as a community leader, that these lines exist to divide us, and because they don’t want us to make too much noise as a community”.
He added that he is very concerned that with the new redesign, the problem worsens and they find other ways to reduce them.
“Latinos are the majority in this area. We have not been voting according to the political party that is going to execute that redistricting. We have a party that controls redistricting and then we have one that is in the population that votes against that party.
“And what I am seeing is that if they divide us even more, our community will diminish more and the more diminished we are, the harder it will be for us to access the resources to get help and be fully represented in our democracy.”