From left: Hillary Clinton, Ben Affleck, Tracee Ellis Ross.
The movement to end partisan gerrymandering will receive some star power next month asHillary Clintonteams up withBen Affleck,Tracee Ellis Rossand former Attorney General Eric Holder for a virtual event.
Clinton announced the event, held Dec. 7, on Twitteron Monday, sharing a link to donate $25 or morein order to watch the conversation.
Entry to the event begins at $25, though donors who give at least $1,000 will be offered a virtual VIP reception with the four headliners: Clinton, Holder, Affleck and Ross.
Funds raised through this event support Clinton’s organization Onward Together and Holder’s Democratic-aligned reform group, the National Redistricting Action Fund.
In August, the Census Bureau released data that serves as the basis for states to redraw their congressional districts. And while data shows the country has grown significantly more diverse, some activists warn the political representation of people of color may suffer due to whose is controlling the process to change the maps.
However, partisan redistricting can manipulate the apportionment to favor one party over another.
The Brennan Center report, for instance, shows that gerrymandering in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania gave Republicans 16 to 17 more congressional seats than they would have had with nonpartisan maps after the 2010 census.
Redistricting is not the only cause celebrities have touted in recent months. A number of stars have also been pushing Congress to expand voting rights, signing anopen letterin March asking Americans to call their senators and urge them to pass a sweeping bill in Congress. (The Republican minority opposes such changes, saying it amounts to federal intrusion.)
Dozens of performers and artists — from Billie Eilish and Faith Hill toLin-Manuel MirandaandSelena Gomez— signed the letter, which says “the most important thing we can do to protect” the future of the country is passing the For the People Act in Congress.
That campaign comes as many Republican-led state legislatures around the country have moved towards passing stricter voting laws in recent months, making it more difficult for people to vote.
source: people.com
