Black business trailblazers lauded at gala tribute in Washington, D.C

Jet, Feb 26, 1996

A plan that would cut the number of majority-Black districts in Georgia from three to one likely will be put into action because the Supreme Court refused to block the judgment that grants the redistricting.

The plan, which was ordered by a lower court, draws a new congressional map for the state. Out of the total 11 districts, the 5th District, represented by Rep. John Lewis, would be the only district that remains majority-Black. Blacks make up 27 percent of Georgia's population.

Opposers of the new map asked the Supreme Court to shelve the plan until the Court could consider a formal appeal. The majority of the Court voted to turn down the emergency request.

"This is probably, as a practical matter, the end of the debate on this subject," Georgia Attorney General Mike Bowers said, "although there is still a possibility the Supreme Court can take the case."

Laughlin McDonald, the American Civil Liberties Union lawyer who filed the appeal on behalf of voters, said he'd ask for an appeal. But even if the court agrees to hear it, it probably would not be resolved in time to change the new map for this year's elections.

If the Court doesn't hear the appeal, "It will take us back to the days prior to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, when legislative bodies were composed of Whites, and Blacks were second-class voters if that," McDonald said.