Blacks In Ala. Legislature File Redistricting Suit

The Alabama Legislature's black caucus has filed a lawsuit against the plan passed by the Republican-controlled House and Senate to redraw lawmakers' districts. The Legislature's 33 black members claim the redistricting plan approved by lawmakers earlier this year is racial gerrymandering and reduces the voting influence of blacks by packing black residents into as few districts as possible. The lawsuit was filed Friday morning in federal district court in Montgomery. The lawsuit says Republicans violated state law by dividing small counties among two or more House members and sometimes two or more senators. The lawsuit asks that a three-judge panel be convened to consider the issue. The attorney for the black caucus, James Blacksher of Birmingham, said lawmakers should be ordered to redo the redistricting process Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.