Florida legislature approves redistricting map amid protests from Black lawmakers
By Brendan Farrington, Associated Press
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida Legislature gave final approval Thursday to a congressional map pushed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis during a raucous session as Black lawmakers chanted in protest over what they say will diminish the state’s Black representation in the U.S. House.
The DeSantis map would increase Florida’s GOP representation in Florida and dismantles two districts now held by Black members of Congress.
The Florida House approved the measure along party lines after a brief delay when Black lawmakers staged a sit-in on the House floor. As debate on the maps was nearing an end, Reps. Angie Nixon of Jacksonville and Tray McCurdy from Orlando opened up their suit jackets to display “Stop The Black Attack” T-shirts and shouted the same phrase. They sat on the state seal in front of the House speaker’s rostrum and were soon joined by other other Black Democrats and other supporters.
The Republican-led chamber called a brief recess, all Republican lawmakers left the floor and the state Florida Channel temporarily stopped broadcasting the proceedings.
“This is good trouble! Necessary trouble!” Nixon shouted, echoing a phrase used by the late civil rights activist and congressman John Lewis.
The group sang “We Shall Overcome” and prayed. Some members went on Facebook to do live feeds of the protest. Nixon said in a text message to The Associated Press that the lawmakers would not leave the floor unless they were physically removed.
The Legislation was in special session to approve a new congressional map after DeSantis vetoed the maps lawmakers sent him. Republican leaders took a map from DeSantis instead of trying again to draw their own.
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Redistricting Congress Florida Rep. Tray McCurdy, D-Orlando and Rep. Angie Nixon, D-Jacksonville sit on the Florida Seal in protest as debate stops on Senate Bill 2-C: Establishing the Congressional Districts of the State in the House of Representatives Thursday, April 21, 2022 at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla. The session was halted on the protest. (AP Photo/Phil Sears) (Phil Sears)
Redistricting Congress Florida Rep. Angie Nixon, D-Jacksonville breaks up a debate on Senate Bill 2-C: Establishing the Congressional Districts of the State in the House of Representatives Thursday, April 21, 2022 at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla. The session was halted on the protest. (AP Photo/Phil Sears) (Phil Sears)
Redistricting Congress Florida Rep. Tray McCurdy, D-Orlando, Rep. Angie Nixon, D-Jacksonville and Rep. Felicia Robinson, D-Miami Gardens sit on the Florida Seal in protest as debate stops on Senate Bill 2-C: Establishing the Congressional Districts of the State in the House of Representatives Thursday, April 21, 2022 at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla. The session was halted on the protest, but resumed later. (AP Photo/Phil Sears) (Phil Sears)
APTOPIX Redistricting Congress Florida Rep. Robin Bartleman, D-Weston wipes tears from her eyes as she is hugged by Rep. Anika Omphroy, D-Lauderdale Lakes as debate stops for an on-floor protest by Democrats on Senate Bill 2-C: Establishing the Congressional Districts of the State in the House of Representatives, Thursday, April 21, 2022 at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla. The session was halted on the protest. (AP Photo/Phil Sears) (Phil Sears)
Redistricting Congress Florida Rep. Dotie Joseph, D-North Miami leads fellow Democrat protesters in prayer as debate stops on Senate Bill 2-C: Establishing the Congressional Districts of the State in the House of Representatives Thursday, April 21, 2022 at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla. The session was halted on the protest, but resumed after a brief recess. (AP Photo/Phil Sears) (Phil Sears)
Redistricting Congress Florida Sergeant of Arms Russell Hosford tries to stop Rep. Angie Nixon, D-Jacksonville from interrupting debate on Senate Bill 2-C: Establishing the Congressional Districts of the State on the floor of the House of Representatives Thursday, April 21, 2022 at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla. The session was halted on the protest. (AP Photo/Phil Sears) (Phil Sears)
Redistricting Congress Florida Rep. Angie Nixon, D-Jacksonville holds hands with Rep. Felicia Robinson, D-Miami Gardens as debate stops for a protest on Senate Bill 2-C: Establishing the Congressional Districts of the State in the House of Representatives Thursday, April 21, 2022 at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla. The session was halted on the protest. (AP Photo/Phil Sears) (Phil Sears)