Last week, Nassau County Republicans pushed through a plan to redistrict the county. The plan, which passed in a 10-8 vote in the Nassau County Legislature, has angered many blacks because they see it as an attempt to dilute their voting strength.

Only one Republican legislator, Denise Ford, voted against the redistricting plan. The new map could take effect before the next elections in November if it stands up to court review.

But other forces are taking action against the Nassau Legislature's actions. State Assemblywoman and Deputy Speaker Earlene Hooper, who represents the predominantly black communities of Hempstead and Roosevelt, held a rally at Kennedy Park in Hempstead May 26. At the rally she promised she'd work to block sending close to $300 million in sales tax revenue to Nassau County because of what she called its legislative attacks "on minorities, the poor and Democrats," including the redistricting plan.

But while Hooper has some support for her actions, Nassau legislator Kevan Abrahams, who also represents Hempstead, Roosevelt and Uniondale, is not in favor of her proposal.

"I agree with the deputy speaker that poor and middle-class and minority communities are shortchanged every year, and this year is no different with the county executive's budget proposals," said Abrahams. "Earlier this year, I fought those very same cuts to seniors, youth, and health and human services.

"The deputy speaker is taking an action she feels is necessary to correct the county executive's proposal," he continued. "The minority community has tried to make its case during public meetings with the county executive and the Republican majority in the legislature in good faith but, unfortunately, a redistricting plan that disenfranchises minorities has been signed into law.

"It is my hope the county executive will come to the table and work with the deputy speaker so the poor and minority communities are not shortchanged any longer."

Abrahams emphasized that the county needs the money and hopes Hooper can work with other local officials to come up with a new way to fight the Republicans' plan to redistrict blacks out of power.

"The county has over $300 million at stake and since we are facing a multimillion-dollar deficit for 2011, we need every penny," Abrahams said.

"The Republican legislative majority is trying to implement a redistricting plan that disenfranchises minority voters. This is the very plan I have fought since the Republicans proposed it four weeks ago.

"I understand the deputy speaker's position, and any action that she feels will bring the county executive's proposal to the table should be reviewed. Hopefully the county executive will not draw a line in the sand and will work with our community to ensure fairness occurs."