rich 1.0 Action Network https://actionnetwork.org <link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/petition/keep-neighborhoods-together-and-approve-the-community-map?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-petition-area-keep-neighborhoods-together-and-approve-the-community-map' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div> Adrian Rafizadeh https://actionnetwork.org/users/councilmember-matt-mahan-2/profile https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/petitions/photos/000/320/958/normal/Petition_Graphic_(1).png Every 10 years, City Council district boundaries must be altered to reflect changes in population, and San Joseans have the opportunity to draw the lines -- at least they're supposed to. Unfortunately, the process has taken a different turn this year. Neighborhood and community voices have been drowned out by political special interest groups hoping slice and dice neighborhoods in order to manufacture election results for their preferred faction. The so-called 'Unity Map,' tears through communities such as Downtown, Willow Glen, Blossom Valley, and many others in a seemingly gerrymandered map. While this topic may seem mundane, it has far-reaching impacts on how neighborhoods and communities of interest engage in their democracy -- poorly drawn maps can divide communities and severely impact their ability to advocate to and vote for elected officials. A set of dozens of community members from diverse Council districts have responded to the "Unity Map" with the "Community Map," which puts people over politics. The "Community Map" is focused on keeping neighborhoods united and empowered. Existing communities of interest across San Jose are maintained and allowed to properly participate in their democracy. Please join me in asking that my colleagues on the City Council adopt the "Community Map" and not the "Unity Map." Together, neighbors can band together to stop the political effort to co-opt what should be a grassroots, community-centric process. https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/keep-neighborhoods-together-and-approve-the-community-map