Pastors gather at Spiritus Christi Church to speak against veto of redistricting map
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ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A group of Black pastors gathered at the Spiritus Christi Church to denounce the actions of elected officials in Monroe County.
This comes heels of County Executive Adam Bello’s veto Friday of the crescent redistricting map for county legislature. Supporters say it would have given people who live in five predominately Black areas in the city, the opportunity to choose representatives who look like them.
The pastors say racism is a “public health crisis” that is now playing out in the Monroe County Executive’s Office and the legislature.
“These patterns of anti-Blackness and racist undertones in decision making harms the future of Black people and leaves the Black community vulernable, leaves our voices muted, and leaves our community struggling for what tomorrow’s future looks like,” said Rev. Myra Brown of Spiritus Christi Church.
The group is calling on Bello to work with President Sabrina Lamar to provide more “racial equity”.
A group of Black pastors gathered at the Spiritus Christi Church to denounce the actions of elected officials in Monroe County.
In a statement released on Friday, Bello said: “I cannot support the proposed redistricting map as it reduces opportunities for communities of color to elect their candidates of choice.”
More of our coverage:
- Bello releases redistricting report by voting rights expert (Oct 14)
- Former mayor Warren speaks in support of new legislative districts map (Sept 29)
- Infighting continues among county Democrats over redistricting (Sept 21)
- Monroe County Legislature releases third version of redistricting map (Sept 6)