AdvertisementSKIP ADVERTISEMENTYou have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load.The leaders of the Georgia legislature pulled the plug on gerrymandering away U.S. House seats held by Black Democrats just hours before a special session was to begin.Listen · 5:59 min Protesters gathered at the Georgia state capitol in Atlanta Wednesday, determined to stop the legislature from redistricting the state.Credit...Alyssa Pointer/ReutersJune 17, 2026Updated 4:47 p.m.

ETRepublican leaders in the Georgia State Legislature said on Wednesday they would not take up redistricting during a special session that was hours away starting — and that had been called expressly to erase U.S. House seats in majority-Black districts.Gov. Brian Kemp called the session to draw legislative maps before the 2028 election with the aim of creating boundaries more favorable to Republicans.

Georgia was to be the latest Southern state to consider redistricting after a recent Supreme Court ruling that weakened Voting Rights Act protections for Black representation.But civil rights activists and protesters assembled in Atlanta, considered the cradle of the civil rights movement, determined to fight against the kind of aggressive legislative action they had seen play out across the South in recent weeks.

Marches and demonstrations greeted lawmakers as they assembled for the special session.Then, less than an hour before the legislative session was gaveled in, top Republican lawmakers stood under the capitol dome and announced redistricting was off, at least for now.VideoActivists and protesters erupted in cheers at the Georgia State Capitol after lawmakers shelved redistricting plans.CreditCredit...Sean Keenan for The New York Times“House Republicans will not be taking up congressional or legislative redistricting maps for the 2028 election cycle during this special session,” Jon Burns, the Republican House speaker, said as the crowd gathered inside erupted in cheers.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

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