Press Release
Coalition of Black, Latino and Asian Groups Call for the Full Adoption of the Unity Map
Leading Legal Voting Rights Organizations Call for Fair & Equitable Maps
NEW YORK, NY — The Unity Map Coalition, a consortium of leading legal voting rights organizations representing people of color in New York City is urging the New York State legislature to adopt the Unity Map in full.
The Coalition, from the Asian American Legal Defense Fund, LatinoJustice PRLDEF and The Center for Law and Social Justice at Medgar Evers Collegewhich drew redistricting maps for New York City based on 2020 Census data released the following statement on the issue:
"The Unity Map coalition is disappointed to see the New York Independent Redistricting Commission (NYIRC) fail to adopt the Unity map in its entirety. As noted extensively throughout the redistricting process New York's Black, Latinx and Asian community members deserve a map that keeps our communities of interest together thus empowering them to elect candidates of their choice. The vote cast last Thursday by the NYIRC is yet another missed opportunity to get it right. We call once again for the full adoption of the Unity map which would protect the voting power of all our communities and stand ready to protect our communities' interest as the process shifts to the legislature."
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About the UNITY MAP COALITION
The Coalition has been at the forefront of nonpartisan redistricting to protect communities of color for the last three decades. During the last Redistricting cycle in 2010-11, the Coalition successfully advocated for the adoption of its historic Unity Map for the 2010 Redistricting Congressional districts in NYC, the State Senate and Assembly, and the New York City Council. This Coalition rewrote redistricting history in NYS and serves as a model for the nation of collective advocacy and power sharing by diverse racial and cultural communities within a jurisdiction.
About LatinoJustice
LatinoJustice PRLDEF works to create a more just society by using and challenging the rule of law to secure transformative, equitable and accessible justice, by empowering our community and by fostering leadership through advocacy and education. For nearly 50 years, LatinoJustice PRLDEF has acted as an advocate against injustices throughout the country. To learn more about LatinoJustice, visit www.LatinoJustice.org.
About AALDEF
The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), a New York-based national organization founded in 1974, protects and promotes the civil rights of Asian Americans. By combining litigation, advocacy, education, and organizing, AALDEF works with Asian American communities across the country to secure human rights for all. AALDEF focuses on critical issues affecting Asian Americans, including immigrant rights, voting rights and democracy, economic justice for workers, educational equity, housing and environmental justice, and the elimination of anti-Asian violence. To learn more about AALDEF, visit www.aaldef.org.
About The Center For Law And Social Justice At Medgar Evers College
CLSJ’s mission is to address racial justice issues by providing quality legal advocacy, conducting community education campaigns, facilitating research and building organizing capacity on behalf of New Yorkers of African descent and the disenfranchised. To learn more about CLSJ visit www.CLSJ.org.
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For additional information, contact:
Stuart J. Sia
Communications Director
212.966.5932 x203
ssia@aaldef.org