New York, NY–Today, the Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) publicly released new draft State Assembly maps and confirmed the statewide public hearing schedule. The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) and NYIC Action Executive Director Murad Awawdeh released the following statement in response:
“While the redistricting process has faced an array of challenges, we are glad the Independent Redistricting Commission released draft Assembly maps today and set dates for public comment for New Yorkers to have their voices heard.
“The maps released today are a step in the right direction, but more work needs to be done to ensure no immigrant communities are disenfranchised. For example, we are concerned that communities of color in Brooklyn and Westchester are fractured, diminishing their ability to form a unified voice in who represents them. We look forward to the public comment period, where we expect many residents in these areas will speak up on behalf of their families and neighbors. We call on the Commission to assure New Yorkers that this process will be truly democratic and guarantee the public will have enough time to weigh in on this crucial matter. New York must fulfill its promise of full and fair political representation for all residents regardless of where they were born, and we will continue to fight to make that happen.”
###