Mississippi house to hold redistricting session at site of Jim Crow era capitol
Summary
Mississippi lawmakers will hold a special session at the Old Capitol building to redraw state supreme court districts. This building was the site of racist laws in the past, and some people say using it now is upsetting because of that history.Key Facts
- The Old Capitol building was where Mississippi lawmakers voted to leave the Union in 1861 to defend slavery.
- Lawmakers also created the 1890 state constitution there, which led to laws that stopped Black people from voting for many years.
- The special session on May 20 will focus on redrawing the state supreme court districts.
- Lawmakers say they are meeting at the Old Capitol because the current House chamber is being renovated.
- Some Black lawmakers and activists find the choice of location hurtful due to its racist history.
- The U.S. Supreme Court recently weakened a key part of the Voting Rights Act that protects against racial voting discrimination.
- Mississippi’s governor and President Donald Trump have supported efforts to redraw districts that critics say could reduce Black voting power.
- More than 40,000 Black Mississippians are currently unable to vote because of laws linked to past discriminatory practices.
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