Gary Chambers Clashes With Louisiana Senators During Heated Redistricting Hearing

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Civil rights activist and former U.S. Senate candidate Gary Chambers Jr. delivered a forceful and at times confrontational testimony Sunday during a Louisiana Senate hearing on congressional redistricting, igniting repeated objections from lawmakers and exposing sharp tensions over race, representation, and political power in the state.

Chambers, speaking during public comment before the committee, argued that Louisiana’s proposed congressional maps would further weaken Black voting strength in a state where African Americans make up roughly one-third of the population.

“Because this is as true to America as it has always been,” Chambers said. “I’m 40 today, and you’re still taking things from Black people.”

He continued, raising his voice as he criticized lawmakers’ motives in drawing district boundaries.

“Anybody who has to cheat to win is a sucker,” Chambers said. “Anybody who got to cheat to win is a sucker.”

The hearing shifted sharply after Chambers described lawmakers as “thieves, robbers, liars,” prompting immediate interruption from State Sen. Caleb Seth Kleinpeter.

“I’m not going to be called a liar,” Kleinpeter said, objecting to the language and asking that senators not be characterized in those terms.

Chambers pushed back, insisting he was expressing an opinion about the impact of redistricting.

“If you are taking seats from Black people, which we are entitled to by the Constitution of this country, then you are a thief in my opinion,” he said. “And I’m entitled to that opinion.”

The exchange prompted visible tension in the committee room, where lawmakers shifted in their seats, and several attendees reacted audibly as the back-and-forth intensified.

State Sen. Gary Carter Jr. later defended Chambers’ right to speak freely during public comment, saying that even harsh political criticism is protected under the First Amendment and is part of the legislative process.

Throughout his testimony, Chambers tied the redistricting dispute to a broader historical pattern of Black political exclusion in Louisiana and the South.

“Because you continue to do this because you don’t have a better vision, you don’t have a better plan,” he said. “You are your ancestors’ children and grandchildren. Thieves, robbers, liars, consistently.”

He referenced religion and morality as he pressed lawmakers further.

“You’ll go to church on Sunday, tell the Lord you love him,” Chambers said. “But you ain’t praying out of the same Bible I’m praying out of.”

The hearing grew more tense as Chambers continued, prompting procedural reminders from the chair and attempts to steer remarks back to the substance of the legislation. At one point, a senator urged him to remain focused on the maps under consideration.

Despite interruptions, Chambers continued his argument, insisting that Black voters in Louisiana are entitled to fair congressional representation.

“Louisiana is 33% Black,” he said. “We deserve, we have earned, we are due two congressional seats.”

The dispute over Louisiana’s congressional map has been the subject of ongoing legal and political conflict, including challenges under the federal Voting Rights Act over whether the state must maintain two majority-Black districts.

Chambers escalated his remarks further, warning lawmakers that history would judge their decisions and comparing current political behavior to figures from the segregation era.

“If you were really visionary leaders, you’d run against these Black men with fair maps,” he said. “And you’d get your asses whooped.”

He referenced former Alabama Gov. George Wallace and segregationist public safety commissioner Bull Connor, arguing that political actions today would be remembered in the same way as those historical figures.

“History will record you differently,” Chambers said. “Nobody thinks George Wallace was a good white man. And nobody will think that you were good white men.”

The comment drew a visible reaction in the room, with several lawmakers sitting back and others staring forward in silence as the tone of the hearing reached its peak.

Chambers also warned that Black voters would organize politically if representation is reduced, saying future elections would reflect the consequences of current decisions.

“Now you may not care what history records you as,” he said. “But history is watching.”

No immediate action was taken following the testimony. The committee adjourned without a vote, leaving the redistricting dispute unresolved and the political divisions on full display.