Alabama Update: February 2022
Hi team,
I’m in Alabama this week to meet up with some of our partners on the ground. It’s been a rollercoaster time for Alabama voting rights’ activists. On Monday we were delivered a devastating blow, but I’m heartened by the resolve and determination of the organizers on the ground here.
We didn’t want to wait a day longer to start our new state newsletters. Each month, we’ll send you some highlights and key developments in each of our partner states. We hope that this will show you the urgency and power of the grassroots work taking place.
More below!
Joe Kennedy
Founder
News Update #1: Redistricting

MAIN TAKEAWAYS:
Earlier this month, the unanimous ruling in Milligan v. Merrill struck down Alabama's gerrymandered maps, and gave the Alabama Legislature two weeks to draft a new map in compliance with the Voting Rights Act. This initial ruling was a major win for Alabama voting rights organizers because it resulted in new maps with two districts where Black voters would have had the opportunity to elect candidates of their choice in 2022.
 
The plaintiff in the initial court case Milligan v. Merrill is GWP friend Evan Milligan. In addition to bringing this historic case to court, Evan is the Executive Director of Alabama Forward - a Give Us the Ballot grantee! Evan and other voting rights activists worked tirelessly to secure this initial victory.
 
Unfortunately, shortly after the unanimous ruling in Milligan v. Merrill, The United States Supreme Court reinstated the gerrymandered maps.

If the Supreme Court follows the traditional timeline, arguments will be heard in the fall and a decision will be issued months later — meaning that the 2022 election will take place using the gerrymandered maps in question.

This is undoubtedly a blow to voting rights organizers in Alabama and across the country. But they are as resolved as ever to continue the fight

TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION!
Share this video from our friends at Alabama Values highlighting the grassroots energy behind the fight for fair maps. [[link removed]]
share video [[link removed]]
News Update #2: Anti-Protest Bill
MAIN TAKEAWAYS:
*
Alabama
State
Legislators
are
trying
for
the
second
time
to
pass
an
anti-protest
bill
that
would
further
criminalize
Black
organizers
and
protestors.

*
This
bill
would
infringe
upon
all
Alabamians’
right
to
protest
and
freedom
to
assemble.
TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION!
The grassroots coalition Alabama Moves is fighting back against Alabama’s anti-protest bill, sign their petition below:
sign here [[link removed]]
ALABAMA ORGANIZING SPOTLIGHT:
Source: Southern Poverty Law Center
The objective of Transform Alabama is to mobilize everyday citizens across Alabama by expanding the path laid by voting rights foot soldiers to include Hip Hop culture. Founded by Adia “Dr. Dia” Winfrey, Transform Alabama uses hip-hop to inspire, educate, and activate voters.
LEARN MORE
[link removed] [[link removed]]
website [[link removed]]
FACEBOOK [[link removed]]
> Founded by Joe Kennedy III, Groundwork Project invests in year-round, local community organizing in places Democrats have gotten used to writing off. With a focus on Appalachia, the Deep South, and the Plains, we support local advocates and activists working to build durable political infrastructure and secure power for those historically excluded.
CONTRIBUTE [[link removed]]
Individual contributions will be allocated as follows: $5,000 per calendar year to a bank account that operates as a Federal PAC, and the remainder to the Non-Contribution Account of our PAC.
We want to respect your boundaries while keeping you informed. Too many emails? Instead of unsubscribing, check out our Email Lite Program [[link removed]] . We will only send you the most important messages each month. Sign up for Email Lite here. [[link removed]]
If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please unsubscribe: [link removed] .
Paid for by Groundwork Project, www.groundworkproject.com, not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.
Groundwork Project
124 Washington Street, Suite 101
Foxboro, MA 02035
United States