Louisiana protests Supreme Court redistricting ruling ahead of U.S. elections

Following a U.S. Supreme Court decision on April 29 that overturned a congressional map in Louisiana which had created a majority‑Black district, demonstrators gathered in New Orleans on May 5. Protesters, chanting the slogan “Flood the Polls,” accused the ruling of a “direct attack on democracy” and warned that the change could allow Republican officials to redraw districts to their advantage before the November midterm elections. The crowd included pastor Lionel Roberts and other community leaders who urged lawmakers to preserve voting‑rights protections.

The decision, which eliminates a second Black‑majority district, is seen by activists as an effort to diminish Black voters’ influence in the state’s political landscape.