PROPOSAL: NJ BDS Black Vote Disenfranchisement States: Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas; POP forum on Topic May 29
If you are interested in this proposal: To organize NJ to boycott states whose government has or is working to disenfranchise Black voters (in particular – but the results impact all!) sign up with the form,
This proposal is for NJ to respond to the efforts of racist elements in several states to disenfranchise their voting rights by diluting their voting strengthin across multiple voting districts through gerrymandering / redistrictng. The idea is to develop a plan to BDS – punish economically the states that are disenfranchising Black and in effect working class and other oppressed sectors’ voting powers. For now this proposal is limited to a first step in this direction to gather information about possible targets for boycott and other economic forms of protest.
Minimally we can start with the colleges and universities of those states. We can figure out if there are industry and businesses that are signature industry to the state and especially those that contribute funds to the efforts to disenfranchise. Once we develop some potential targets we can begin to shape out a campaign. For now we are asking for input on who can help research targeting.
Each potential target should be analyzed for potential for NJ to impact and secondly as to determine if there would be disproportionate economic impact on working people of that state. Boycott choices if possible should be analyzed so that any impact of the protest effort hits hardest the perpetrators of the disenfranchisement. We can loosely call to BDS the respective states but the details should try to fine tune as much as possible the specific targets since targeting economic action and pinpointing can increase the impact instead of dispersing it to the point that is ineffective.
The form below can be used to express support for this effort – organization and individual support is welcome and also if you have ideas and direction to take this effort. If we find interest out there shortly we will convene a public remote video call to set things in motion. We are looking to link up with other similar efforts analyzing potential targets by similar efforts around the USA.
Businesses directly connected or whose management and directors are connected to these efforts should be targeted as well as funders of candidates supporting these efforts. Some common targets will be:
Colleges and Universities. Students deciding where to attend should shun the electorally racist states. Alumni and others who contribute to colleges should not contribute to any college in the electorally racist states. (We need to have a good name for these states.)
Tourism. Tourism should definitely be targeted in all of the racist states.
DETAILS:
Several states have implemented or are facing Republican-led mid-decade redistricting efforts designed to redraw congressional maps and gain a partisan advantage.
The states where Republicans have successfully passed or proposed new maps include:
- Texas: Aggressive mid-decade redrawing was pushed by Republicans to solidify and add GOP-leaning districts.
- Florida: Maps pushed by Governor Ron DeSantis eliminated a historically Democratic, minority-opportunity district.
- North Carolina: The state legislature passed a new map intended to heavily favor Republican candidates.
- Ohio: A new congressional map was pushed through to give Republicans an advantage in the U.S. House.
- Missouri: State lines were redrawn to put the 5th District into a solid Republican position.
- Tennessee: Republicans split up the heavily Democratic, Black-majority 9th District in Memphis, severely weakening the Democrats’ chances in the region. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Southern States Impacted by Recent Court Rulings:
Spurred by the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Louisiana v. Callais—which weakened portions of the Voting Rights Act—several other states initiated or planned rapid redistricting efforts to dismantle or dilute Democratic and minority-leaning districts. These states include: [1, 2]
- Louisiana
- Alabama
- South Carolina
The following is where we will provide the list of potential boycott targets. There will be more information once we start deciding the targets and putting the action plan:
Alabama
Florida
Louisiana
Missouri
North Carolina
Ohio
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Here is one site that analyzes the redistricting effort:
https://www.cookpolitical.com/redistricting/2025-26-mid-decade-map
Cook Political Redistricting 2025-26 Analysis
Supporters of this effort thus far include:
Lily Benavides
FightBackBetter Writing and Editing Collective
Bob Witanek
If you are interested in this proposal: To organize NJ to boycott states whose government has or is working to disenfranchise Black voters (in particular – but the results impact all!) sign up with the form
Peoples Organization for Progress Will Address Topic May 29
