Statement for Immediate Release

Friday, January 19, 2024 Contact: Sherry Gay-Dagnogo, M.Ed.

(313) 515-5382

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson Calls on U.S. Supreme Court to Delay Justice for Detroit!

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson showed her true colors this week. In a recent court filing, Benson urged the United States Supreme Court to delay the implementation of several new State House Districts being crafted by the MICRC until the 2026 election cycle. Forcing Black voters to live under maps found by a panel of three federal judges to be an unconstitutional and odious racial gerrymander is simply wrong. Secretary Benson opposed the senate special election in the trial court in the supplemental brief they filed the morning of the hearing. So disenfranchised voters have four years out of a ten year redistricting cycle—nearly half—of suffering constitutional violations.

Benson says the reason Black voters should remain disenfranchised for another two years is because her office cannot meet the redistricting timetable to which her attorneys agreed to at the January 5^th court hearing. But Benson’s assertion of inability is based on an estimate that it “could” take her office somewhere between 4 and 12 weeks (i.e., a 200% margin of error) to update the qualified voter files for less than 12 modified state house districts. Benson’s estimate is grossly insincere. These are simple administrative tasks.

However, if she truly had a genuine concern, Benson could have asked the legislature for more resources or gone back to the three judge panel to ask for a short time adjustment. Instead, Benson sought to have the United States Supreme Court impose over a two-year delay on justice for Detroit. This is more of the same; elite partisan politicians elevating their self-interests above the constitutional rights of Black voters. Its time to wake up Detroit!

MEDIA ADVISORY:

Friday, January 19, 2024 Contact: Sherry Gay-Dagnogo

(313) 515-5382



Detroit and Wayne County Leadership Calls on Detroiters to Make Their Voices Heard During MICRC Detroit Hearings

WHO: Former State Representative Sherry Gay-Dagnogo, Plaintiff Agent and Spokesperson; Plaintiffs: Natalie Bien-Aime, Tanesha Johnson-Wilson, Detroit and Wayne County Leadership: Wayne County Commission Chairwoman Alisha Bell, Wayne County County Clerk Cathy M. Garrett, City of Detroit Councilmember LaTisha Johnson, City of Detroit Councilmember Mary Waters, Romulus City Councilwoman Virginia Williams, and Attorney Jennifer Green, Clark-Hill Equity Partner, Represented City of Detroit Retirees from the City of Detroit Bankruptcy, and Community Stakeholders

WHAT: AgeeVBenson Black Leadership Matters Press Conference

WHEN: January 22nd, 9 AM.

WHERE: Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, Spirit of Detroit Statue

DETAILS: MICRC will meet in-person at the following locations in the City of Detroit:

• Monday, January 22 from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. and 6:00-8:30 p.m. at Huntington Place (formerly known as Cobo Hall).
• Tuesday, January 23 from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. and 6:00-8:30 p.m. at Huntington Place (formerly known as Cobo Hall).
• Wednesday, January 24 from 10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. at Cadillac Place.
• Thursday, January 25 from 9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. at Cadillac Place.
• Friday, January 26 from 9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. at Cadillac Place.

(Click Here for More Details)

Background: MICRC to redraw 13 House and Senate Districts: HD 1 - Rep. Tyrone Carter (D-Detroit), HD 7 -Rep. Helena Scott (D-Detroit), HD 8 - Rep. Mike McFall (D-Hazel Park), HD 10 - House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit), HD -11 Rep. Veronica Paiz (D-Harper Woods), HD 12- Rep. Kimberly Edwards (D-Eastpointe), HD 14-Rep. Donavan McKinney (D-Detroit) and SD 1 - Sen. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor), SD 3-Stephanie Change (D-Detroit), SD 6-Sen. Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Township), SD 8- Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak), SD 10- Sen. Paul Wojno (D-Warren), SD 11-Sen. Veronica Klinefelt (D-Eastpointe), to ensure VRA and 14th Amendment Equal Protection Compliance.

Sherry Gay-Dagnogo, M.Ed.

Agee v. Benson Plaintiff Agent & Spokesperson

Former State Representative

Detroit School Board Member

Strong Women Lead Invites You to Celebrate Sherry Gay-Dagnogo's 57th Birthday, Monday, January 29th, 5:30-8 p.m., 1440 Franklin, Detroit, MI. General Donation; $100 RSVP Here