Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, November 19, 1995 TAG: 9511200043
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
The lawsuit cites a U.S. Supreme Court decision involving Georgia that says carving districts into racial blocs is unconstitutional.
Don Moon of Hampton, the 3rd District Republican chairman, and Robert Smith, a black activist in Norfolk who has run for Norfolk treasurer and for the 2nd District congressional seat, filed the suit Friday in U.S. District Court.
The suit seeks an injunction banning further congressional elections in Virginia under the existing plan. The 11 members of the House of Representatives are up for election next year.
If the lawsuit prevails, the General Assembly would have to draw new districts.
Moon and Smith zero in on the 3rd Congressional District represented by Rep. Robert C. Scott, D-Newport News, the state's first black congressman since Reconstruction.
The district meanders some 225 miles through urban and rural areas from eastern Richmond along the James River to Norfolk. It has a 64 percent black majority. It takes in all or part of eight cities and eight counties.
``Race was the predominant factor in the creation of the district,'' the suit says. ``It was the stated intention of the legislature in creating this district that it would give African-Americans an opportunity to elect a candidate of their choice and that candidate would be an African-American.''
The suit was filed against Gov. George Allen, Speaker of the House Thomas Moss, Lt. Gov. Don Beyer and Bruce Meadows, secretary of the State Board of Elections.
``It's not my district,'' Scott said Friday. ``It's the people's district. I believe all 11 congressional districts were legally drawn, but obviously the federal court will be ruling on this now.''
Sue Wrenn, chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Virginia, said, ``We are confident that Virginia's 3rd District, which is excellently represented by Congressman Bobby Scott of Newport News, is properly drawn and meets all the legal and constitutional requirements.''
Dave Johnson, executive director of the Republican Party of Virginia, said the party had nothing to do with the suit but was aware it was going to be filed.
``Forcing people based on race into districts is bad politics, bad policy and bad for the country,'' Johnson said.
by CNB