We're minutes away from the start of @RedistrictingMI's first public hearing on its draft proposed maps in Detroit. Expect a glut of comments on the state of the city's districts, which have been a source of scrutiny since mapping began and more so after mapping wrapped.
As a refresher, there are 10 collaborative map plans up for public comment, about as many individual commissioner-created maps and several more community submitted map plans: bit.ly/3vtuPS5
Commissioner-drawn maps include three from Chair Rebecca Szetela (House, Senate, U.S. House), Rhonda Lange's Senate/U.S. House plans, Anthony Eid's Senate/U.S. House plans, Doug Clark's state House/U.S. House plans, and a single state House plan from Cynthia Orton.
Orton House plan: bit.ly/3E3CE45
And even after typing this long tweet thread, the meeting has yet to begin and it's 1:20 p.m. (ish).
And they're finally live and starting now:
How unhappy are members of the public/Detroit residents are about the maps as they stand now? A Black Voters Matter rally was held before the meeting, steered by @Adamant4Detroit and @repyancey, who are concerned the maps dilute Black votes. Story: bit.ly/3AUGv1b
.@NotPoliticians also changed positions from "let the process play out" to asking @RedistrictingMI to reevaluate its maps due to lingering concerns about Voting Rights Act compliance and compliance with additional constitutional criteria. Story: bit.ly/3aTbK23
2 people thus far in public comment said there was more work to be done on these maps, with one woman saying that they do a disservice to Black voters in Detroit. She brought up the @IPPSR report's critique on the lack of Black majority districts.
Another woman: the Black community in Detroit was not given sufficient attention in the mapping phase, as the city was done last on some of the maps. She said they have cracked their districts and weakened Black Detroit's voice. "No excuses," she said to applause @RedistrictingMI
Now we're starting to have folks suggest some of the community submitted maps. One woman suggested a FAIR Maps submission while another cited the AFL-CIO map as a quality plan that should be up for consideration.
One man didn't mince words on the maps' VRA issues, calling @RedistrictingMI's handling of Detroit's districts shameful and that this was not what they (the voters) sent them here to do. Another woman called for the creation of 51 percent Black VAP districts in Detroit.
Others have noted that the maps still lean Republican and do not represent "fair maps." At least one said, yet again, that they should be ashamed for the work they've created and should start over. He also suggested to AFL-CIO map. Yet another woman asked for 51% Black VAP.
Interesting comment from a member of the Sikh faith community, who said they have not advocated for themselves yet. He suggested using the Birch Congressional plan as it is complementary to his community: michigan.mydistricting.com/legdistricting…
Another strongly worded comment: Woman said that N. Detroit does not have commonalities with Livonia and shouldn't be drawn in with it. She also called the maps "functionally racist" because they stand to dilute Black voices/prevent election of Black candidates. @RedistrictingMI
Yet again, a commenter said that fairness should be the benchmark (even though it is far down on the constitutional checklist) and that these maps prevent Black opportunity. "You are failing us. Do the right thing," he said.
Here's a map proposed by Delta Sigma Theta sorority, a state House map which they say does better on VRA compliance and protects the politcal gains of Black Detroiters over the past several decades. 
At least one man who described himself as a Republican said that both sides of the aisle believe @RedistrictingMI is doing a poor job. He's from Ann Arbor and does not believe Ypsilanti should be separated from its neighboring city.
Had to record this one to share. Here's former Rep. Sherry Gay-Dagnogo dressing down the commission over it's handling of Detroit's districts. She's now a current Detroit School Board member.
Here's a Palmer Park COI district from LGBT Detroit. Two reps said @RedistrictingMI has made clear with its maps and comment time limits that it doesn't want to hear from Black LGBT individuals, but that's what they (LGBT voters) created the commission to do.
A man from W. Bloomfield who volunteered w/ @NotPoliticians said that the whole reason they pushed Prop 2 was to bring about real partisan fairness, not to prevent funny shapes or to preserve city/township/county lines. He wants them to focus on PF above all other considerations.
Another woman said that their VRA data and advice was limited and not complete and is leading them down a path of disenfranchisement, particularly for residents of Detroit. She suggests other maps, like LGBT Detroit's, which has seen a high degree of comment on the portal.
While @RedistrictingMI tried to take care with the Arab community in Dearborn, a Yemeni man said the commission needed to do a better job there and, like others, said lawsuits are coming, so why not try and fix these issues before they bite the commission? Pic: his draft district
Another comment worth recording from the chair of the Oakland County Dem Black Caucus (a combat veteran). A lot of strongly worded commentary tonight across the board.
And yet another. GOP consultant @jamieroe23 calls on @RedistrictingMI to fire its VRA consultant following the public hearings and draw majority Black districts. "Get back to work. It needs to be done," he said. And with that, we're on recess until 5 p.m.
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