AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond released the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Alexander v. the South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP to approve a congressional map in South Carolina that will demonstrably disenfranchise Black voters:
The labor movement has long fought hand in hand with our friends and allies in the civil rights movement to demand fair representation in both the workplace and our democracy. Today, the Supreme Court once again disgraced the generations of activists and leaders who fought for those sacred rights by approving a congressional map that will dilute the voting power of Black South Carolinians. We condemn this decision in the strongest possible terms.
Permitting violations of both the 14th and 15th amendments, this ruling is yet another example of right-wing politicians employing the judiciary to bless racist policies adopted by extremist legislatures. As scandals and record-low approval ratings plague the court, the anti-democratic audacity of this decision highlights the urgent need for federal legislation to protect access to the ballot box.
When democracy is robust, unions are strong. And when unions are strong, America—and the opportunity it provides to Black workers and their families—is strong. We stand in solidarity with our partners who lead in the fight for voting rights, and we remain committed to eliminating the institutional racism that allows for such an egregious decision from the highest court in the land.
Contact: Riley Lopez, [email protected] or 202-637-5018
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