Nonprofit The Rainbow PUSH Coalition recently showed its support for the Texas Democratic lawmakers who left the state to prevent a quorum on redistricting plans.
At an event dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the “Voting Rights in Peril,” members of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition highlighted their belief that, by redrawing the congressional map, it would be racial gerrymandering. A new map would potentially add five new GOP congressional seats in time for the 2026 U.S. House election.
Several Texas House Democrats joined the Rainbow Push Coalition at the event in Chicago, where they reaffirmed their stance on the plan and spoke about how their actions are an attempt to protect voting rights across the U.S.
“They have found where the Black people are and the Brown people are, and they have divided us,” said Texas state Rep. Jolanda Jones, per CBS News. “They have cracked us and they have packed us into districts to dilute our voting strength, which effectively denies Black and Brown people the right to elect a representative of their choice.”
Over 50 Democratic lawmakers have left Texas for an undisclosed amount of time. The special session is expected to last until at least Aug. 19.
In response, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced plans on Friday to take 13 out of the 50 Democrats to court if they don’t return.
Per Paxton, he has already filed a lawsuit with the Texas Supreme Court petitioning that they be removed from their positions. Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows also announced that direct deposits for the representatives will be suspended as payments can only be picked up in person.
The Democratic lawmakers have reportedly made their way to various Democratic-led states such as Illinois and California. On Friday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom met with the Texas leaders in Sacramento to discuss potential options they have if Republicans succeed in adding five GOP seats.
Announced in a press release, Gov. Newsom announced that one such option is temporarily redrawing California’s congressional map. Through a special election the first week of November, the state of California will go against the re-drawn Texas congressional map by introducing state voters to a Democratic-led redistricting plan of the state.
“We are prepared and we will fight fire with fire. We will do whatever it takes to defend our democracy,” said California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, per a press release. “We will do whatever it takes to protect the voices, the votes, and the rights of every American.”
