Every 10 years, voter district lines are redrawn for city, state and congressional races, and it’s about that time of the decade.
A group of Democratic organizations in Brooklyn wants to let people know that they can do something to stop gerrymandering, which helps those in power stay in power.
To get the word out, the coalition have organized the showing of the documentary “Gerrymandering” (see trailer in the photo/video gallery at left) and a panel discussion with Assembly Hakeem Jeffries (D-Prospect Heights), who appears in the film, along with Senator Daniel Squadron (D-Carroll Gardens) and the filmmaker Jeff Reichert.
“,” takes place at the at 6 p.m. tonight followed by the panel discussion at 8 p.m.
“It’s only once every 10 years that we have the opportunity to draw all of these lines. We want to give people the opportunity to learn about the issue and speak directly to their public officials in Albany,” said Sarah Baker, vice president of political affairs, for New Kings Democrats, which is organizing the event with the Prospect Heights Democrats for Reform.
Baker, who said that some districts are so misshapen that they look "absolutely insane," said there's a movement to get a legislation mandating non-partisan restricting passed in New York State.
"Moving forward it would be great to have less of a partisan process," she said.
