State Rep. Antonio Parkinson is calling residents to Frayser on Thursday, May 28, at 6 p.m. for a town hall that aims to untangle Tennessee’s freshly redrawn congressional map. Shelby County has been carved into three congressional districts, a move local leaders warn will shake up who speaks for Memphis in Washington.
Parkinson has assembled a lineup that blends politics, law, and the pulpit. On the panel: Pastor Dr. Keith Norman, State Sen. London Lamar, State Rep. Jesse Chism and attorney Van Turner. The event is free and open to the public, but organizers say attendees need to pre-register for e-tickets, according to Action News 5.
Earlier this month, Republican lawmakers in Nashville signed off on a new map that critics say dismantles Memphis’s lone majority-Black, Democratic congressional district and splits the city across three separate seats. Multiple legal challenges quickly followed, and a federal judge has now consolidated several cases into a single lawsuit that could decide whether the new lines will govern the 2026 primaries, according to The Guardian.
What Parkinson and the panel will cover
The town hall is pitched as an informational deep dive rather than a rally. Panelists are expected to walk residents through how the new map could affect their ballots, access to constituent services and overall clout in Congress. With Van Turner on deck, attendees can expect a heavy dose of legal context, with political breakdowns and strategy talk from Lamar and Chism, according to the lineup reported by Action News 5.
Legal fight could change the map - and the calendar
Civil rights groups, including the NAACP and the ACLU, argue the redraw waters down Black voting strength and have asked both state and federal courts for emergency relief. Judges have already consolidated federal challenges and are weighing requests that could determine whether the map remains in place for the August primary and beyond, as detailed by the Memphis Flyer.
How to attend
The meeting is free, but organizers say space is limited and ask that residents register in advance for an e-ticket. Registration details are posted on the Eventbrite page linked in local coverage. Parkinson’s office and local outlets say they plan to share updates and any materials after the town hall for those who cannot attend.
