CRITICAL WIN IN LAWSUIT AGAINST FLORIDA’S RACIAL GERRYMANDERING

Federal Court Ruled to Proceed with the complaint filed by Cubanos Pa’lante

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FEBRUARY 15, 2025

MIAMI, FL—The U.S. District Court in Miami unanimously granted to proceed our suit against the State of Florida for racially-gerrymandered redistricting. The suit alleges that the State-enacted map violates the 14th amendment of the U.S. Constitution. 

“We are encouraged by the court’s decision to move forward with our case,” commented Natalee Rivero, our Chief Human Resources Officer. “This is about securing a future where every Latino voter receives the fair and nuanced representation that we deserve.”

After the State’s attempt to dismiss the case, the court has allowed the case to go forward. The FL ACLU has filed the complaint on our behalf, and we are joined by local organizations Engage Miami, the ACLU Club at F.I.U., as well as four local residents. Together, we contend that Florida lawmakers unfairly treated Hispanic voters as a uniform group, relying on simplistic stereotypes. This violates our Fourteenth Amendment rights by denying Latino voters the nuanced representation that we deserve.

“From Miami Lakes to Homestead, from Little Havana to Immokalee, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our fellow community members and against the politicians who suppress our diverse voices”, said our co-founder Mike Rivero. “Latinos are not a monolithic group of voters.”

Our complaint states that the Florida Legislature and Governor Ron DeSantis altered the boundaries of Congressional Districts 26, 27, and 28, along with State House Districts 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 118, and 119. They allegedly did this by linking separate neighborhoods, splitting established communities, and forming irregular shapes, all with the main aim of racial manipulation. This racial gerrymandering, as stated in the lawsuit, compromises fair representation and cannot be justified by the Voting Rights Act or any other significant governmental interest.

“The court’s acknowledgment of the harms of racial gerrymandering is a crucial step in our pursuit of justice,” remarked Cynthia Perez, CPL’s Chief Operating Officer. “We are committed to ensuring that all Florida voters can engage freely in our democracy.”

A three-judge panel including Judges Britt Grant, Rodolfo Ruiz, and Jacqueline Becerra, is hearing our case. We look forward to seeing the Florida House of Representatives and Secretary of State Cord Byrd in court. 

About Cubanos Pa’lante: A platform for Cuban-Americans gathered around progressive values in the United States, supporting an end to the U.S. sanctions and embargo on the Cuban people.

FOR PRESS INQUIRES CONTACT:

Bryan Enriquez

Director, Political Strategy

bryan@cubanospalante.com