LOS ANGELES : Ferraro’s Redistricting Plan Draws Latino Criticism
City Council President John Ferraro on Monday unveiled his proposal for redrawing council district boundaries, which drew criticism from Latinos as an “incumbent protection plan” that violates Latino voting rights.
The plan would establish Latino population majorities in the districts of Councilmen Ernani Bernardi and Mike Woo, would shift the downtown Broadway shopping district from Councilwoman Rita Walters to Councilman Richard Alatorre, and would transfer the Crenshaw shopping district from Councilwoman Ruth Galanter to Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas.
Alatorre and an attorney for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund criticized the map for failing to go far enough toward helping elect two more Latino council members. Latinos, who account for about 40% of the city’s population, hold two seats on the 15-member council.
Ferraro plans to present the map to the full council for approval Thursday.
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