Brooklyn Asian and Latino community organizations are joining forces with redistricting experts

Brooklyn Asian and Latino community organizations are joining forces with redistricting experts from Common Cause/NY in an effort to get more representation on the City Council.

Asian Americans for Equality, Casita Comunal de Sunset Park, and Common Cause are hosting a Saturday redistricting workshop on the state of the 38th CD in advance of a slated Monday public hearing of the NYC Districting Commission. The commission is charged with drawing new Council districts by next March.

“District lines should keep neighborhoods and communities intact to preserve their history and cultural contributions to our city,” said AAFE’s Christopher Kui.

The groups say growing Asian-American and Latino populations have pushed up the area’s total voting-age population by 4.4% over the last 10 years.

The Asian-American voting-age population has increased by 36% to just under 33% of the district. The Hispanic voting-age population has jumped 13%, and the number of white, non-Hispanic residents old enough to vote has declined by 11%.

“This process is about making sure that our voices as a community are heard and respected,” said La Casita Comunal de Sunset Park’s David Galarza. “The Asian-American and Latino community may not share a common language, but we share many common goals and dreams for ourselves and our families.”

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2012/08/brooklyn-asian-latino-groups-huddle-with-common-cause-before-council-redistric