The Bay Area Social Equity Caucus Invites You to Its Fall Quarterly Meeting: Assessing the Redistricting Process: What It Means for Our Communities
Friday, September 23, 9:30AM to 12:00PM
James Irvine Foundation Conference Center
East Bay Community Foundation
353 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza
Oakland, CA 94612
RSVP: frank@urbanhabitat.org
California voters, frustrated with Sacramento’s political gridlock, twice went to the polls to divest elected officials of their authority to draw the state’s political districts. Voters granted that power instead to the citizens of California through the establishment of the 14-member, multipartisan Citizens Redistricting Commission.
Barely one week after the Commission adopted 177 newly created state legislative, congressional, and Board of Equalization districts, equity-minded individuals and organizations are wondering whether this more transparent, public process will result in better representation for low-income people and communities of color.
Please join the Bay Area Social Equity Caucus on Friday, September 23, 2011, as they convene a panel of redistricting experts to discuss the following questions:
Why and how was the Citizens Redistricting Commission created?
How has this redistricting process differed from other processes?
How well were low-income people and communities of color represented?
What impact will the new maps have on the voice and political power of low-income people and communities of color over the next decade?
Should all levels of government enact similar redistricting reforms? And if so, how can processes be structured to maximize the political power of low-income people and communities of color?
Speakers will include:
Marqueece Harris-Dawson—President and CEO, Community Coalition of South Los Angeles
Connie Galambos Malloy—Director of Programs, Urban Habitat and Commissioner, California Citizens Redistricting Commission
Paul Mitchell—Political Consultant and Owner, Redistricting Partners
Michelle Romero—Redistricting Fellow, The Greenlining Institute
This meeting will be useful for advocates and decision-makers from all sectors, including community organizations, labor groups, elected officials, government staff, foundations, and commissioners. Please come prepared to share your own knowledge, ideas, and strategies.
Seating is limited.
Please RSVP to frank@urbanhabitat.org
