Independence Party of New York County


Cathy L. Stewart - Chair


225 Broadway, Ste. 2010
New York, NY 10007 


212-962-1699 


For Immediate Release:


March 2, 2006


Fulani Files Voting Rights Complaint
with U.S. Justice Department


Names Spitzer, Clinton, Bruno as Respondents


Along with Independence Leaders


MacKay, Connolly, Morano


Protests Outside Intervention into
Independence Party Affairs



Dr. Lenora Fulani and ten other complainants filed with the U.S. Justice Department today, asking that it investigate recent actions taken by Independence Party State Chairman Frank MacKay and other party leaders which violate the Voting Rights Act of 1965.  A state party decision to disband three duly constituted and duly elected local county organizations in New York City was intended to and has had the effect of disenfranchising black voters and triggers certain Voting Rights Act protections.


The Voting Rights Act requires that changes in party rules, procedures and practice be pre-cleared with the Justice Department in order to guarantee that minority voting rights are protected.  No pre-clearance was sought or obtained.


MacKay’s dissolving of three New York City county organizations are the latest moves fueled by New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton and State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno who, Fulani’s complaint alleges, “manipulated fusion for illegitimate ends,” a reference to the troublesome political machinations of major/minor party relationships.


In a cover letter accompanying the complaint attorney Harry Kresky writes:


"Spitzer and Clinton pressured MacKay to launch his political assault on Fulani and her associates. Spitzer and Clinton, who rely substantially on black voter loyalty to the Democratic Party, have been increasingly alarmed at Fulani and the Independence Party’s influence among black voters."


 Kresky’s letter further informs the Justice Department:


"After 47 percent of the black vote deserted the Democrats in the New York City mayoral election in 2005 to help re-elect Republican/Independent Michael Bloomberg, a voter shift in which Fulani and the Independence Party figured prominently, MacKay intensified his segregationist campaign inside the Independence Party, causing the above-mentioned actions to be taken."


The complaint recounts a series of media reports that detail how Mr. Spitzer and other Democratic leaders pressured MacKay, including a New York Post editorial on February 13th, 2006 which read:


"What’s behind the ‘Dump Fulani’ drive?  Most likely the party fears for its future.  It has to attract 50,000 votes in November to keep its permanent line on the ballot, and Democratic front-runner Eliot Spitzer reportedly has told the party he won’t accept its nod if Fulani remains a key player."


The complaint also alleges that GOP State Senate Leader Joseph Bruno participated in the effort to enhance his ability to use Independence Party cross-endorsements upstate” to hold his narrow majority in the State Senate.


In addition to Dr. Fulani and co-complainant Dr. Jessie Fields, both Independence Party members targeted in MacKay’s actions, eight voters from Georgia, Massachusetts, Illinois, South Carolina, California and Maine joined in the complaint, citing the chilling effect these violations have on independent organizing efforts in other parts of the country, particularly with respect to black voters.  The Committee for a Unified Independent Party, Inc., a national think tank for the independent political movement is also a complainant.


Copies of the complaint available upon request. 


Contact:  Sarah Lyons


212-962-1824 / 917-658-9885

 

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