See below for reactions to this disgusting mailer by the “NO” campaign on the redistricting referendum. A few of the adjectives and phrases used to describe the mailer include:
- “Offensive Mailers Misusing Civil Rights Imagery”
- “…invoking Jim Crow in an attempt to scare voters into opposing the measure”
- “The mailers, which are being distributed by a Republican-linked political group opposing the referendum, use hurtful, racist imagery while falsely suggesting that the referendum threatens Black representation”
- “…weaponizing one of the darkest chapters in our history to scare people into voting no and help Republicans rig the 2026 midterms”
- “Invoking the pain and sacrifice of the civil rights movement while spreading misleading claims about this referendum disrespects the very people who fought to secure the right to vote and have their voices heard.”
- “We denounce the manipulative mailers sent by a MAGA-aligned political action committee aimed at deterring Black voters from supporting this referendum, which falsely compare this important measure to Jim Crow—a brutal system that stripped Black Americans of their voting rights.”
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Statement from Attorney General Jay Jones on Misleading Mailers Targeting Black Voters
Richmond, VA – Attorney General Jay Jones released the following statement regarding deceptive mailers being sent to Black voters about Virginia’s redistricting referendum.
“As Virginia’s first Black Attorney General, I take very seriously the history that is being invoked in these mailers. Reports indicate that a group opposing the redistricting referendum has sent materials to Black voters that misuse imagery from the Civil Rights Movement and even invoke Jim Crow while falsely suggesting the measure threatens Black representation.
My parents and grandparents lived through the reality of Jim Crow in Virginia. They experienced firsthand what it meant when the law and the political system were used to silence Black voices. That history is not a political prop, and it should never be exploited in a misleading attempt to confuse voters.
Virginians deserve honest information about the choices before them. Invoking the pain and sacrifice of the civil rights movement while spreading misleading claims about this referendum disrespects the very people who fought to secure the right to vote and have their voices heard.”
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NAACP Virginia State Conference Calls Out Deceptive Tactics Aimed at Undermining Black Voter Participation
Richmond, Virginia – The NAACP Virginia State Conference strongly supports voting “yes” for the Redistricting Referendum, which is crucial for maintaining the voting power of Black Virginians. We denounce the manipulative mailers sent by a MAGA-aligned political action committee aimed at deterring Black voters from supporting this referendum, which falsely compare this important measure to Jim Crow—a brutal system that stripped Black Americans of their voting rights. This referendum addresses the manipulation of congressional seats, designed to imbalance representation and secure conservative wins ahead of the November midterm elections. We cannot stand idly by and allow these reprehensible racist tactics go unchallenged.
“While the NAACP is nonpartisan, we are deeply engaged in political advocacy to safeguard our communities,” states Rev. Dr. Cozy Bailey, President of the NAACP Virginia State Conference. “This referendum is crucial for ensuring fair representation for all communities and countering the manipulative tactics that threaten our civil rights.”
We urge all participants in this debate to engage honestly with voters about protecting fair representation and upholding civic accountability in Virginia and across the nation.
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Virginia Legislative Black Caucus Condemns imagery used by Republican-linked PAC
RICHMOND, VA — Today, the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus condemns the racist and painful imagery used in mailed materials distributed by the MAGA-linked ‘Democracy and Justice PAC’ ahead of the April 21st redistricting referendum. The NO effort’s use of historical images from the civil rights movement alongside images of the terrorist Klan organization is absolutely appalling. Further, the language asserts that the ballot measure is targeting Black Virginians which simply isn’t true. The VLBC has endorsed the Vote YES campaign and rejects this messaging aimed to misinform and divide voters.
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The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus comprises 37 members in the Virginia General Assembly. The VLBC is committed to improving the economic, educational, political, and social conditions of African Americans and underrepresented groups in Virginia. A vital part of VLBC’s mission is to raise the consciousness of other groups to the contributions made by African Americans to the Commonwealth and the Nation.
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