In a surprise 5-4 decision, the US Supreme Court ruled that the state of Alabama had in fact violated the 19-65 Voting Rights Act with the way that its Republican lawmakers drew the current map for federal elections.

Alabama has seven Congressional districts. Currently, only one of them has a majority Black population, even though Black people make up 27 percent - so over a quarter - of Alabama's total population.

The Supreme Court ruling requires Alabama to now draw a second district with a Black majority.

The decision reaffirms the landmark Voting Rights Act signed by President Lyndon Johnson in 19-65 which was designed to prevent racial discrimination in voting. The law came in response to Black people being denied their right to vote in Alabama and other southern states. That discrimination triggered peaceful protests that were often broken up brutally by police.

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#Gerrymandering #Alabama #SupremeCourt