Antonio Condemns SCOTUS Court Ruling in Louisiana v. Callais

Today, Senate Democratic Leader Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) released the following statement in response to the continued dismantling of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The Supreme Court of the United States this week decided in Louisiana v. Callais that states can, ”without legal consequence, systematically dilute minority citizens' voting power."

"I emphatically disagree with the Court’s decision to reshape the Voting Rights Act to ‘disentangle race from politics,’ as though the Jim Crow era simply vanished when we know it has not,” said Leader Antonio. “Consequences of past racial discrimination still exist today, and no amount of whitewashing or so-called ‘color-blindedness’ can hide that. Apparently, we are still fighting America’s Civil War even as we approach the 250-year anniversary of the nation’s founding.

“We who believe in equal rights for all must continue to challenge racist bias, whether explicit or implicit, in our government and communities. As our caucus’ mission statement says, we strive to be the voice ‘for those who have not historically had a voice in government.’

“Ohio is no stranger to Republican efforts at voter suppression. The Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus stands with our friends in Louisiana and across the South as they continue to fight to protect the hard-won gains of the Civil Rights Movement. We also recognize that there is so much more to do to achieve equality and racial justice, and we recommit to doing that work.”