OneRouge Friday Community Check-In (Week 93)


Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in EBR, The Walls Project has been hosting weekly video calls with leaders of nonprofits, foundations, city government, and local businesses from a
cross the parish. The intention of these weekly community check-ins is to share information and resources to help the Baton Rouge community respond and recover from the pandemic. Weekly topics range from access to basic needs such as food, medical care, and safety to thought-leaders' insights on equitable opportunities for youth enrichment, nonprofit financial solvency, surge in unemployment, and the disproportionate impact on impoverished neighborhoods in regards to accessing fresh food.
'Title'
Meeting Notes Prepared by Samantha Morgan (Walls Project)
Quick Links: Notes, Zoom Chat, Community Announcements
Kaitlyn Joshua (Community Organizer, Power Coalition)
I organize communities across the state. The Power Coalition has been part of the fight since the census. Fast forward a year and a half later, we’ve partnered with organizations to bring those voices together.
Advocacy Day - 250 people to the capitol. Gave them the tools to give that testimony. Constantly bringing folks of color to the capitol and young people. A lot of legislators said that made an impact. In this moment, Power Coalition is running several targeting campaigns where we know the house map is not ideal and we’re hoping it's vetoed by John Bel and the Senate as well and the congressional map we hope he vetoes as well.
Additionally we have a campaign where we’re calling on John Bel to veto several maps to encourage him to do the right thing. While we are hopeful he vetoed the congressional, we’re not sure about the house and senate maps. We’re not relying on the legislators to do the right thing. We’re calling on the governor to take that initiative. We know several of those maps will end up in litigation.
I do want to talk about the impact on the community. My fear is that we brought all these folks, we engaged all these folks and they’re seeing in real time that it’s not making an impact and I fear they will believe their voice does not matter.
Peter Robins-Brown (Executive Director, Louisiana Progress)
It looks like this morning or this afternoon all these maps will get final approval, but they will probably all go to the governor’s desk today. We’re looking at the congressional maps, BESE, and the public service commission. There was a sixth map they could have drawn. On those other five, on the public service and BESE, I would expect those to be signed off on by the governor. There’s not as strong of a litigation path on that. Although that’s not a given on BESE. The focus is really on the congressional, senate and house maps. If he overrides those vetoes, will that hold up? That’s what we’re looking at here.
Either way, I would say those three will end up in the courts. In Alabama there was a terrible ruling out of Arkansas. All sorts of states are in various stages of section 2 litigation. Bringing cases against the new maps. I think it’s clear the new maps passed today disenfranchise all voters. It’s going to be predetermined which political party wins. There’s going to be very little chance of feeling like if you vote this way you’ll have a significant impact. On election day, we’re all as powerful as the most powerful person in the state. I don’t want to diminish the power to vote, but it’s frustrating to say the least when black and brown communities across the state are being disenfranchised. By staying at the same level we’re actually diminishing because the numbers have been increasing.
If you’ve been following the Advocate, they’ve been covering the backroom dealings. That further increases or makes apparent why the governor should veto these maps. They’ll be litigated either way. That’s where we as citizens can do something. We can pressure the governor. There were so many people who turned out. There is a sense of frustration and deflation to see that that outreach wasn’t heard when you see the outcome. When it comes to the litigation side that will matter. That’s the record that the lawyers and the judges use.
The reason Barry Ivey put in a state supreme court map that he drew himself, because those black voters matter advocates who showed up and said they want to leave the state, he told me 2 days prior that he wasn’t going to put in any maps, but after that he went home and stayed up until 4 in the morning working on this. That was the biggest story in this redistricting session. That was a direct result of people showing up and speaking their truth.
Davante Lewis (Policy Analyst, Louisiana Budget Project)
Today is probably the conclusion, technically they can go to Sunday but it seems everyone has Mardi Gras balls and parades, so they want to be done today. These maps are just unacceptable. We are the second blackest state in the country and there’s not a single additional majority-minority seat on any of our maps, and that’s a significant problem. Even though we haven’t seen a final map, both chambers have been on record saying they are okay with it. What’s next is the vetoes.
The court has two tracks. If the governor does take our call and veto the map, the legislature can come back and try to override the veto. If that veto is sustained, meaning the legislature does not muster the 2/3rds votes needed to override the veto, and they do not pass a new map, you can file an injunction for the courts to file a new map. So the courts have two tracks they can play.
One is that the legislature and the governor can never come to an agreement, or a law never takes effect, which means the middle district, which has two Obama appointees out of three would be in charge of actually drawing the maps, which I don’t think anybody in the legislature actually wants that, because all the considerations about term limits and assets in a district really don’t apply.
The second is if the governor does veto then we would go to court and file under a Section 2 violation under the voting rights act.
What Section 2 basically says, if you have the ability to draw more minority districts then you will be reviewed. The voting rights act doesn’t require that there was a will to disenfranchise, it only has to show that the results create disenfranchisement and underrepresentation. If I can prove a way that there was to provide more minority-majority districts and the state chose not to, then they are in violation.
In Alabama, the supreme court paused Alabama’s ruling. The supreme court did not rule on the merits of the voting rights act or whether the complaint was warranted. What the Supreme Court did was file an injunction that Alabama would not have to redraw their maps until that case has ended. So they paused a decision on the case.
But what the Supreme Court did, which is really convoluted is Justice Kavanaugh used the Purcell doctrine, which is established by the court and says that election laws cannot be changed too close to an election. And even though Alabama’s primaries are four months out and the general election for congress is nine months out, the Supreme Court ruled that’s too close to an election to redraw lines, so the case is now backed into the district court where they will hear the merits and then move it back up to the court.
Peter also mentioned what we saw out of Arkansas. This is a very wild case. It’s a Trump appointed judge, who basically threw out all the precedence that we’ve seen from lawyers and said that nobody but the department of justice can bring a voting rights allegation. So as an individual people, as organizations, as a legislator, I can’t say my voting rights have been violated. Only the department of justice can say I have violated the voting rights, which is very convoluted. This is a part of a process we have seen in a case in Arizona. We’re concerned the Supreme Court is going to pick a case that is not as clear cut as Louisiana. If you listen to the NAACP legal defense fund, they say there is no clearer case of a section 2 violation than Louisiana, it’s a slam dunk case. The challenge could be that the Supreme Court takes a smaller case that’s not a slam dunk, use it on the merit and rule on it and set the bar higher.
Unlike other states, Louisiana our legislative elections are in an off-year, they’re in 2023, which means the Supreme Court ruling on the legislative maps on BESE, the house and the Senate, the Purcell doctrine does not apply - we are a year and nine months out. I think those maps have a different path.
Entering this process, a lot of our members, really were not organized, really were not motivated, but watching these students and these people asking to be represented, there was an energy bolt that I haven’t seen in years. Even though it looks daunting, because some of our allies that a month or two months ago I would have told you they would have never done. The pressure is working. It is motivating and energizing those who stand with us.
Zoom Chat
From Jen Tewell (she/her) to Everyone 08:25 AM
Good morning!
From Christopher Spalatin to Everyone 08:30 AM
I might have missed the beginning, but was this about Barry Ivey?
From Rev Anderson to Everyone 08:31 AM
Say that!
Good morning ☀️
From Helena Williams to Everyone 08:33 AM
I wish my twin did this work more with me!
From Chris Spalatin | BRAC to Everyone 08:33 AM
😂
From Morgan Udoh (She/Her/They) to Everyone 08:34 AM
Wonder Twins powers, ACTIVATE!
From Sherreta Harrison to Everyone 08:39 AM
Very valid point, Kaitlyn.
From Pepper Roussel to Everyone 08:48 AM
That frustration is the entire point of gerrymandering!
Ivey gave an impressive speech on the map and the outcomes of this redistricting session.
From Kaitlyn Joshua to Everyone 08:49 AM
Yayyyy Peter!
From Pepper Roussel to Everyone 08:49 AM
Congrats, Peter!
From Casey Phillips to Everyone 08:51 AM
Please put your questions in the chat for our speakers to deepen your understanding of this process. If we’re all lucky enough to be here 10 years from today there will be an opportunity to stay engaged in this work
From Raymond A. Jetson to Everyone 08:52 AM
There is an important lesson here…simply because we organize and raise our voice on an issue does not guarantee the outcome we seek immediately. That is a moment…When we organize, raise our voice and expand our tent over time, we will begin to see the change we seek. This is a movement. Throughout our history movements are the only vehicle that has created sustained change.
From Rev Anderson to Everyone 08:52 AM
The community work on redistricting has been exceptionally well coordinated and the speakers are to be commended.
From Pepper Roussel to Everyone 08:53 AM
Spitting truth!
From Verna Bradley-Jackson to Everyone 08:53 AM
Mr Jetson RIGHT!
From Sherreta Harrison to Everyone 08:54 AM
Is it safe to say that the adoption of unfair maps while important today has even more impact in the future when we consider that these maps will remain for 10 years(?) and our population could continue to change in ways that will make the maps even less representative?
From Kaitlyn Joshua to Everyone 08:54 AM
Yes! Totally safe to say Sherreta!
From Pepper Roussel to Everyone 08:55 AM
^^^
From Sherreta Harrison to Everyone 08:59 AM
And so the importance of engaging younger people in this conversation and process is heightened as is the need to develop a long term strategy to disrupt this.
From Pepper Roussel to Everyone 08:59 AM
How do these prospective maps impact the '22 elections - LPSC and LA-2?
From Rev Anderson to Everyone 08:59 AM
How do the speakers believe Mardi Gras season will impact getting the appropriate attention to redistricting?
From Sherreta Harrison to Everyone 09:00 AM
Some our energy has to be on disrupting the now, some on tearing up the foundation that led to this and some on building the future structure that will keep this from being our fight in the next decade.
From Rev Anderson to Everyone 09:02 AM
I truly believe people don't understand the importance of redrawing the Supreme Court maps. Could any of the speakers discuss this issue.
From Morgan Udoh (She/Her/They) to Everyone 09:04 AM
I think we’re honestly dealing with fatigue. We’re still in the middle of a pandemic, housing prices have reached ignorantly unobtainable pricing levels, wages are a joke, etc. How do we mobilize people in a constant state of fight or flight?
From Helena Williams to Everyone 09:04 AM
^^
From Kaitlyn Joshua to Everyone 09:05 AM
^^^^
From Rev Anderson to Everyone 09:09 AM
All elections matter. In Baton Rouge we went from one race to fill the District 5 seat to 3 very consequential impact to the parish and the state.
Failure to promote civic engagement and voter education all the time has real world consequences and redistricting is one of those consequences.
From Alexis Jones - Habitat for Humanity to Everyone 09:09 AM
^^
From Kaitlyn Joshua to Everyone 09:09 AM
Yes ^^^
From Manny Patole (he|his, CCBR) to Everyone 09:10 AM
1000%, Peter. Power has no party, gender, or other lines.
From Esperanza Zenon to Everyone 09:11 AM
Ego and power is a terrible combination, which results in vanity...the worst sin
From Jen Tewell (she/her) to Everyone 09:11 AM
Thanks for today y'all. Heading to my next meeting. See you next week!
From Karla King - concerned citizen to Everyone 09:11 AM
Our state's younger population is what this is all about - their presence has been and will continue to be the strong visual that needs to be felt and seen. Raymond Jetson brings home the basic truth of the power of a movement. Great discussion today!
From Rev Anderson to Everyone 09:13 AM
I think young people are voting with their feet and elected officials don't care because they didn't vote them into office.
From Kevin Guitterrez to Everyone 09:13 AM
Appreciate the reality of that viewpoint...important to consider while we attempt to make change/influence
From Pepper Roussel to Everyone 09:17 AM
SAY THAT!!!
From Elizabeth Shephard to Everyone 09:17 AM
Yes, it is so overwhelming. ❤️
From Rev Anderson to Everyone 09:17 AM
Exactly!!!
From Karla King - concerned citizen to Everyone 09:18 AM
Yes Sherreta
From Alexis Jones - Habitat for Humanity to Everyone 09:18 AM
I agree!! My civic education didn't come from my schooling, so it's important to educated and empower before we're able to vote!!
From Toni Quinn Bankston (she,her) to Everyone 09:20 AM
As someone who has listened to the voices and stories of youth for decades I often wonder out loud how policies would be different if children could vote
From Pepper Roussel to Everyone 09:20 AM
So much that!
From Raymond A. Jetson to Everyone 09:20 AM
@Casey - in the chess we play at MetroMorphosis, Sherreta is the Queen…
From Casey Phillips to Everyone 09:21 AM
Rinaldi I see you sir then Rev. Anderson
Amen Raymond
From Helena Williams to Everyone 09:21 AM
One thing that keeps me from voicing my wants to politicians is the feeling that I’m not being received and ignored. I get the standard email response “Thanks and so-and-so appreciates your engagement…” But I never feel heard. Is there any way to create more of a needle-moving feeling for those trying on their own? Is this a mythical quest?
From Pepper Roussel to Everyone 09:23 AM
Yeah, we can!
From Taryn C. Branson to Everyone 09:23 AM
Right, Kaitlyn. We have to set the narrative and not always be on the defense.
From Pepper Roussel to Everyone 09:24 AM
SAY THAT, PETER!!!
From Raymond A. Jetson to Everyone 09:24 AM
It’s called the status quo
From Elizabeth Shephard to Everyone 09:24 AM
Yes.
From Pepper Roussel to Everyone 09:24 AM
POWER
From Sherreta Harrison to Everyone 09:24 AM
Valid, Peter
From Chris Spalatin | BRAC to Everyone 09:24 AM
TRUTH
From Karen Stagg to Everyone 09:25 AM
Yes!!
From Esperanza Zenon to Everyone 09:25 AM
David came in the name of the Lord! Whose name are we moving in?
From Sherreta Harrison to Everyone 09:27 AM
And perhaps that part of the work/strategy: disrupting that narrative that disenfranchised people are being outsmarted or outsourced sorry, outsmarted and outworked
From Elizabeth Shephard to Everyone 09:27 AM
Yes! They ain’t that smart!
From Erin White--Black Women's Wellness to Everyone 09:27 AM
Capitalism is built on chattel slavery in this nation
How do we take back what our people built?
From Karla King - concerned citizen to Everyone 09:29 AM
Ask the youth, they will tell us. Youth under the age of 18 feel they aren't important YET - 18 is that demarcation mark in their minds as it was ours at that age. Lift up and give their voices the amplification that is needed. Thank you to everyone here that does this.
From Kaitlyn Joshua to Everyone 09:29 AM
I love it
From Donald Andrews to Everyone 09:29 AM
If you look at Silicon Valley and Route 128 Boston or Austin Texas, the places that are creating the future are build on talent to create new wealth. The politics is important but what choices are made to invest in education to create the ecosystem for innovation is even more important for moving the state forward.
From Esperanza Zenon to Everyone 09:31 AM
we underestimate our hurdles and opponent every time
From Karla King - concerned citizen to Everyone 09:32 AM
Yes Reverend Anderson
From SK Groll to Everyone 09:32 AM
YES! How are we doing civic education and reimagining political education for young people? (political =/= partisan). Thanks, Rev Anderson!
From Esperanza Zenon to Everyone 09:32 AM
I agree Reverend Anderson!
From Rinaldi Jacobs Sr to Everyone 09:33 AM
basic Civics has to start early. We took our kids in the voting boot. at 18 you got selective service card and a voter registration card
From Alexis Jones - Habitat for Humanity to Everyone 09:34 AM
^^
From Pepper Roussel to Everyone 09:34 AM
Come with it, Rev!!!
From Sherreta Harrison to Everyone 09:34 AM
My elementary school held a school election in 1993 where we voted for the the next President.... we had to discuss with our parents, listen to speeches from candidates, and other things and then each student voted for a candidate. That was when I learned to pay attention to elections I was in the 3rd grade. So yes, never to early!
From Alexis Jones - Habitat for Humanity to Everyone 09:34 AM
Civics shouldn't be a half a semester class that you never revisit in school
From Sherreta Harrison to Everyone 09:35 AM
*maybe 1992, when you get to my age the years all run together:)
From Pepper Roussel to Everyone 09:35 AM
I have to drop off, but this was outstanding!
From Helena Williams to Everyone 09:35 AM
I participated in a Junior State program in 7th grade and I was so hyped to write a bill that got “passed” on animal neglect. It really helped me understand the process
From Alexis Jones - Habitat for Humanity to Everyone 09:36 AM
!!
From Esperanza Zenon to Everyone 09:36 AM
I'm there!
From Laadonis Williams to Everyone 09:37 AM
Let It S.L.I.D.E ( Stop Letting Intense Drama Escalate )
Www.letitslidebr.com letitslidebr@gmail.com
Youth and young adults alternative programs.
From Pamela Taylor Johnson to Everyone 09:37 AM
Good, Amen, We can do it.Let do it.
From Manny Patole (he|his, CCBR) to Everyone 09:37 AM
Should also teach Robert’s Rules and Parliamentary Procedure as well… not sexy but necessary
From Casey Phillips to Everyone 09:37 AM
If you are interested in building a ‘Disruptor’ Summer Camp as Art-Tech-Revolution please email our team : support@thewallsproject.org
From Alexis Jones - Habitat for Humanity to Everyone 09:38 AM
Haha! Manny!!! YES! Someone was just talking about that to me and I had no idea what it was!! Embarrassing
From Rinaldi Jacobs Sr to Everyone 09:41 AM
All in all we are another Brick in the ...1980's
From Kaitlyn Joshua to Everyone 09:42 AM
LOL
From Alexis Jones - Habitat for Humanity to Everyone 09:42 AM
Love that
From Rev Anderson to Everyone 09:44 AM
That's funny - the casino 😂
Everyone should contact their state legislators today and let them know you don't like the maps. Visit the capital, text, email but let's break the system today!!!!
From Casey Phillips to Everyone 09:44 AM
Please raise your hand or come off mute if you have a community announcement
From Karla King - concerned citizen to Everyone 09:44 AM
Thanks Davante
From Rev Anderson to Everyone 09:45 AM
Get in the game!!!!
From Verna Bradley-Jackson to Everyone 09:45 AM
Thanks Davante for your service/work!
From Rev Anderson to Everyone 09:45 AM
Absolutely!
From Bobby Jones Jr. to Everyone 09:46 AM
We should take a look at Youth Legislature for our young people. This program has been around and minority schools are not involved. This is how we get young people involved!!
From Rinaldi Jacobs Sr to Everyone 09:46 AM
MLK parade this weekend . GO Serve. Parade for krewe of Oshun
From Rev Anderson to Everyone 09:46 AM
Well said Rev. Jetson.
From Verna Bradley-Jackson to Everyone 09:47 AM
Need to revisit Youth Legislature!
From Manny Patole (he|his, CCBR) to Everyone 09:47 AM
School trip to Capital!
Thanks for a great morning. See you next week.
From Rodneyna Hart to Everyone 09:48 AM
Also want to celebrate Rev Anderson on her recent win of the Mayor's MLK Baton Rouge Legacy Award!
From Kelli Rogers to Everyone 09:48 AM
Thanks everyone. Have a great weekend!
From Peter Robins-Brown to Everyone 09:48 AM
Congratulations, Rev. Anderson!
From Bobby Jones Jr. to Everyone 09:49 AM
Congrats!!!
From Raymond A. Jetson to Everyone 09:49 AM
Congrats Rev Anderson
From Rev Anderson to Everyone 09:49 AM
Thank you for the gracious well wishes.
From Verna Bradley-Jackson to Everyone 09:49 AM
Good Day Everyone! Take care and be safe! Kool Beans!
From Morgan Udoh (She/Her/They) to Everyone 09:51 AM
MLK Fest Service
From Rev Anderson to Everyone 09:51 AM
This has been an amazing discussion.
From Kaitlyn Joshua to Everyone 09:51 AM
From Morgan Udoh (She/Her/They) to Everyone 09:52 AM
MLK Fest Sunday Service 8am-12pm 2182 Osage Street (Firehouse cleanup and paint)
From Alexis Jones - Habitat for Humanity to Everyone 09:53 AM
We also have Critical Home Repair program!! We can help do some minor exterior repairs!!
From Jan Ross - Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation to Everyone 09:54 AM
Wilson Foundation grant deadline date next Friday. Call if you have questions - 225-292-1344. https://www.hawilsonfoundation.org/grant-application/
From Rev Anderson to Everyone 09:54 AM
It's all good, Rinaldi
From Girard Melancon to Everyone 09:54 AM
Hello everyone! much love family.
From Alexis Jones - Habitat for Humanity to Everyone 09:54 AM
That's awesome!!
From Girard Melancon to Everyone 09:55 AM
Sign me up, Rinaldi
From Tristi Charpentier to Everyone 09:55 AM
Junior League of Baton Rouge Community Assistance Fund applications are also open. Upto $5,000 for short-term needs: https://www.juniorleaguebr.org/community/caf/
From Alexis Jones - Habitat for Humanity to Everyone 09:55 AM
Thanks everyone! Great conversation today.
From Rev Anderson to Everyone 09:56 AM
museum rocks!
Community Announcements
MLK Day of Service
Join the Walls Project on Sunday at the Osage Street Firehouse for a day of cleanup and painting. Activities begin at 8 a.m. and will continue until noon or until the work is done.
Habitat for Humanity
Still accepting anyone who wants to volunteer on a service committee. We’ll be accepting applications for homeownership on April 1 and 9.
Open Enrollment
Let It S.L.I.D.E ( Stop Letting Intense Drama Escalate ) is currently holding open enrollment for youth and young adults. Www.letitslidebr.com letitslidebr@gmail.com
New Bistro
A new restaurant has opened up in North Baton Rouge. It’s called Montecito and it’s located in Howell Place.
Grant Opportunity
Wilson Foundation grant deadline date next Friday. Call if you have questions - 225-292-1344. https://www.hawilsonfoundation.org/grant-application/