During the last special session, Orlando State Representative Travaris McCurdy joined Jacksonville Rep. Angie Nixon to lead a protest against Governor Ron DeSantis’ unprecedented manipulation of the Florida Legislature to abdicate their constitutional duty to draft a constitutional congressional map. Of course, Republican leaders passed the Governor’s new proposed map that will rig districts to favor the GOP and slash Black representation in congress, but not before the Democratic Representatives shouted “Stop the Black Attack” on the House floor (see photo below).
“In the words of the late Congressman John Lewis, ‘Where is the heart of this body? Where is our soul? Where is our moral leadership? Where is our courage?’ Today, it was not in this chamber,” Orlando Rep. McCurdy said at the time. “By lacking the courage to stand up to Governor Ron DeSantis’ bullying, reject political games, and uphold our duty as legislators to draw constitutional maps, we have totally failed the people of this state. I couldn’t let this day be written about in history as a day we didn’t stand up and fight for what is right.”
The new congressional map directly impacts Orlando, changing the seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Val Demings. “Tallahassee leaders are folding like a cheap suit to Governor Ron DeSantis,” Rep. McCurdy said. He added he was “disgusted” that the legislature was even entertaining maps drawn by the Governor, when it is the legislature who is constitutionally bound to draw the boundaries.
“For decades we have told people that their vote was their voice. For our brown and black communities, they have begun to take that to heart and take the right to vote seriously. One man’s political ambition should not cost another man’s freedom, voice, nor vote,” Rep. Nixon stated. “It’s a sad day when the leaders of our state are willing to do everything they can to silence the voice and vote of black people instead of upholding democracy for everyone. As Democrats we will always fight so that all communities have a chance to choose their elected leaders, not the other way around.”
Florida Democrats say the new congressional map will “severely cripple Black voters’ voices.” Governor DeSantis says it created “lawful Congressional districts” in Florida.
“As if over 20 years of single-party rule wasn’t enough, Republican leaders are willing to lie, cheat, and steal to maintain their stranglehold of power on the state of Florida,” Rep. Nixon said. “I hope America is watching because these attacks on fair representation are coming to your state too. They’ll start with silencing and diminishing my community and then they’ll come for yours if you demand that they work for The People instead of their political ambitions. This has to stop right here, right now.”
