Bishops for the historically Black Methodist denominations in Alabama – AME, CME and AME Zion – are urging their pastors and congregations to be vocal in opposition to efforts to change congressional districts in Alabama in a way that would endanger the state’s ability to have two Black members of Congress.
“It’s such a slap in the face to our ancestors,” said African Methodist Episcopal Zion Bishop Dwayne A. Walker, who oversees the AME Zion Church’s Alabama-Florida district, with at least 175 churches in Alabama and 20 in Florida. “It’s racially motivated. It’s a sad time for our nation.”
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday ended an order requiring Alabama to have two Black districts in the U.S. House of Representatives. The conservative-leaning court vacated the ruling by an Alabama federal court that led to the creation of two Black districts in light of the recent ruling in Louisian v. Callais. That landmark redistricting case earlier this month found that Louisiana’s racial gerrymanders were unconstitutional…