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District Court Ruling Cracks Good Ole Boy
Political Stronghold in Irving
Case Could Have Ripple Effect on White Majority Rule Municipalities Across Texas
Darwin Campbell
LoneStarPowerPages
IRVING- In 1954, The Supreme Court decision Brown vs. Board of Education shook the foundations of Democracy and changed education opportunities in America forever.
In 1964, the Civil Rights Act turned back years of intimidation and terrorism against Blacks by outlawing racial segregation in schools, public places, and employment and Jim Crow practices.
In 1965, the Voting Rights Act outlawed discriminatory voting practices that had been responsible for the widespread disenfranchisement of African Americans in the United States.
In each case, Martin Luther King Jr. and others fought tirelessly never giving up until victory was won.
On July 15,2009, the fight for true Democracy, voting rights, voice and political freedom gained another sweet victory.
This time, in a historic ruling, Irving Activist Manuel Benavidez has cracked Irving's 106 year old good Ole' boy political code, and that victorious struggle will change the Irving City Council forever and could impact the make up of many smaller municipal governments across Texas.
“This is a great moment and the most important legal decision in Irving's 106 year history,” Benavidez said. “We are ecstatic about the changes coming. It is a long road we have traveled and it has taken 25 years to make this happen.”
According to a Wednesday court ruling by U.S. District Judge Jorge A Solis, Irving is in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act because its At-Large method of electing members to city council disadvantages Blacks, Hispanics and is unfair to minorities seeking voice, representation and opportunities to hold seats on the city council.
Solis has ordered the city cease administering or conducting any future city council elections using the At-Large system because of the discrepancies and concerns challenged by Benavidez in the suit.
The suit forces Irving to change a system it has practiced for 106 years that has shut out minorities and kept city council representation totally White.
Irving's mayor and eight council members are all white even though whites make up only about 35.6 percent of the city's population, according to 2007 American Community Survey estimates. Hispanics make up 40.6 percent of the population, according to that same estimate.
“This is a victory that proves the importance of using the Democrat process properly and patiently to ensure that you voice is heard,” he said. “This was not just a case for Hispanics. This was a fight for all minorities and represents a victory for all minorities that is sure to open up opportunities for all people.”
Activists have been fighting for single-member districts for decades without success because city leaders ignored calls to develop an election system that leveled the playing field giving Blacks, Hispanics and other minorities and equal opportunity to hold public office and be represented by someone living in their district.
Like Benavidez, Irving Activist Anthony Bond has also been fighting to change the system said he was happy and overjoyed with the court decision.
“I thank God and the Lord and Savior Jesus that we have lived to see this come to pass,” he said. “The Days of the Good Ole' Boy B*ll S*%T in Irving are over. We love everybody, but we have no sympathy for White Redneck families that have manipulated minorities and controlled the power structure here for 106 years.”
Bond said the ruling marks a new day and also approves that majority rules in America.
The next step is for the two sides to agree upon an election and redistricting plan that remedies the Voting Right Act discrepancies within 90 days or face a plan drawn up by the court and approved by Solis.
According to Bond, Irving leaders could have worked out an agreement without any court action, but ignored the cries for equality and representation.
“For years, they failed to listen and failed to act,” he said. “Now they have been forced to listen and ordered to change..dissenters who do not like what happen will have to get use to it and live and govern side by side with Blacks, Hispanics, Asians and Muslims alike.. If not leave. “We are an international city and that needs to be reflected in our government. It is long overdue and should have happened years ago.”
Benavidez said the city has always been pushes and shoved to do the right thing.
He said now the real work to change the century long culture of the political shut out of minorities.
“We hope this encourages more people to have reason to register, vote and participate in the political processes that help bring about changes in our city and help shape the future for us and our children and grandchildren,” he said. “It is time for all minorities to respond. Now is our time.”
In 1964, the Civil Rights Act turned back years of intimidation and terrorism against Blacks by outlawing racial segregation in schools, public places, and employment and Jim Crow practices.
In 1965, the Voting Rights Act outlawed discriminatory voting practices that had been responsible for the widespread disenfranchisement of African Americans in the United States.
In each case, Martin Luther King Jr. and others fought tirelessly never giving up until victory was won.
On July 15,2009, the fight for true Democracy, voting rights, voice and political freedom gained another sweet victory.
This time, in a historic ruling, Irving Activist Manuel Benavidez has cracked Irving's 106 year old good Ole' boy political code, and that victorious struggle will change the Irving City Council forever and could impact the make up of many smaller municipal governments across Texas.
“This is a great moment and the most important legal decision in Irving's 106 year history,” Benavidez said. “We are ecstatic about the changes coming. It is a long road we have traveled and it has taken 25 years to make this happen.”
According to a Wednesday court ruling by U.S. District Judge Jorge A Solis, Irving is in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act because its At-Large method of electing members to city council disadvantages Blacks, Hispanics and is unfair to minorities seeking voice, representation and opportunities to hold seats on the city council.
Solis has ordered the city cease administering or conducting any future city council elections using the At-Large system because of the discrepancies and concerns challenged by Benavidez in the suit.
The suit forces Irving to change a system it has practiced for 106 years that has shut out minorities and kept city council representation totally White.
Irving's mayor and eight council members are all white even though whites make up only about 35.6 percent of the city's population, according to 2007 American Community Survey estimates. Hispanics make up 40.6 percent of the population, according to that same estimate.
“This is a victory that proves the importance of using the Democrat process properly and patiently to ensure that you voice is heard,” he said. “This was not just a case for Hispanics. This was a fight for all minorities and represents a victory for all minorities that is sure to open up opportunities for all people.”
Activists have been fighting for single-member districts for decades without success because city leaders ignored calls to develop an election system that leveled the playing field giving Blacks, Hispanics and other minorities and equal opportunity to hold public office and be represented by someone living in their district.
Like Benavidez, Irving Activist Anthony Bond has also been fighting to change the system said he was happy and overjoyed with the court decision.
“I thank God and the Lord and Savior Jesus that we have lived to see this come to pass,” he said. “The Days of the Good Ole' Boy B*ll S*%T in Irving are over. We love everybody, but we have no sympathy for White Redneck families that have manipulated minorities and controlled the power structure here for 106 years.”
Bond said the ruling marks a new day and also approves that majority rules in America.
The next step is for the two sides to agree upon an election and redistricting plan that remedies the Voting Right Act discrepancies within 90 days or face a plan drawn up by the court and approved by Solis.
According to Bond, Irving leaders could have worked out an agreement without any court action, but ignored the cries for equality and representation.
“For years, they failed to listen and failed to act,” he said. “Now they have been forced to listen and ordered to change..dissenters who do not like what happen will have to get use to it and live and govern side by side with Blacks, Hispanics, Asians and Muslims alike.. If not leave. “We are an international city and that needs to be reflected in our government. It is long overdue and should have happened years ago.”
Benavidez said the city has always been pushes and shoved to do the right thing.
He said now the real work to change the century long culture of the political shut out of minorities.
“We hope this encourages more people to have reason to register, vote and participate in the political processes that help bring about changes in our city and help shape the future for us and our children and grandchildren,” he said. “It is time for all minorities to respond. Now is our time.”
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