SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson (D-Carson) has released the following statement regarding the passage of key redistricting measures by the California State Legislature:
"Yesterday marked a defining day for the State of California and for the future of our democracy. As a legislative body, we did not waver. We stood tall, spoke truth to power, and passed critical redistricting measures that safeguard the voice of every Californian. We took bold action while our democracy lies on life support.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "There comes a time when silence is betrayal." After 11 years in office, I've spoken out time and again—but yesterday, I refused to be silent again while forces across this nation attempt to dismantle the foundation of our representative government.
What we are witnessing across state lines, particularly in Texas and others aligned with the Trump agenda, is nothing short of a coordinated effort to rig elections. Their goal is to suppress the will of the people and return us to an era where equity and justice were afterthoughts, not guarantees.
Let me be clear: we did not ask for this fight, but we will take it on, and we will win.
I proudly stood with my Democratic colleagues to defend the integrity of our redistricting process and protect communities that have long been marginalized. I applaud Governor Gavin Newsom for his unwavering courage and leadership on this issue. And I commend Speaker Robert Rivas for standing up when others refused to.
The current federal administration seeks to rewrite history and roll back decades of progress on civil rights, human rights, and voting rights. This is all in service of a self-serving 'President' with ambitions of a third term. We won't allow it. California won't allow it.
Our vote was not just about lines on a map—it was about drawing a clear line in the sand against tyranny and injustice.
Our democracy is worth fighting for. And that fight continues."