Jeffries Supports Boycott of SEC Colleges Over Redistricting

On Tuesday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) aligned with the Congressional Black Caucus and the NAACP, advocating for black athletes to boycott schools in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) located in states that promote redistricting efforts.

Jeffries expressed concern that the SEC, which represents the pinnacle of college athletics under the NCAA, hasn’t effectively challenged the Republican-led initiative to redraw congressional districts that bolster GOP chances ahead of the midterms. “We’re facing a unique moment—a significant push against Black political representation, which necessitates a strong response,” he stated during a press conference at the Capitol.

He continued, “In unity with the NAACP, we call on athletes to avoid participating with SEC institutions in states employing racially oppressive measures reminiscent of Jim Crow. This situation is unacceptable and fundamentally un-American. The lack of vocal opposition from these institutions amounts to complicity, and we won’t tolerate it.”

Criticism has been directed at states like Texas, Missouri, Florida, and Tennessee for altering their congressional maps, which has dismantled districts primarily serving minority voters.

Moreover, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and South Carolina also plan to proceed with redistricting following a recent Supreme Court ruling that outlawed racially biased congressional districting.

“These universities really should feel compelled to take a stand… it’s simply the right thing to do,” he argued.

Jeffries also emphasized the need for “character, courage, and conviction” to overcome this period of backlash. He likened the moment to historic figures like Bill Russell, Muhammad Ali, and Jackie Robinson, emphasizing its seriousness.

“We must unite to construct the kind of America that both the African American community and every citizen deserves,” he added.

Jeffries introduced “Project 42”—named after Jackie Robinson, who famously broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball in 1947—as a initiative to combat racial gerrymandering.