AFJ INSIDER - June 2023

When LGBTQ+ communities are under attack, and the far right sees state and federal courts as a key means of corroding the dignity, safety, and rights of LGBTQ+ people, it’s more important than ever to celebrate our community, its achievements, its fortitude, and its strength.

That’s why in this moment, I was thrilled to co-moderate a rst-of-its-kind conversation two weeks ago featuring three groundbreaking Black LGBTQ+ sitting federal judges.

The appointments of Judges Darrin P. Gayles, Staci M. Yandle, and Jamar K. Walker inspired those of us who had dreams of being a judge at the local, state, and federal level, and helped many people reimagine who could receive a presidential appointment and Senate con rmation for the federal bench.

Slowly across our country, we have seen this trend continue and grow. Casey Pitts, who brings a background as a champion of the rights of working people in court, was just confirmed last week as the first openly gay judge for the Northern District of California.

The lives and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ people, like all people, depend upon fair courts. Filling every judicial vacancy with champions of justice who will make our judiciary better reflect the nation it serves is an absolute necessity.

Throughout this June, we are celebrating the history LGBTQ+ judges have made and highlighting what individual jurists from that community bring to our courts. You can see our efforts on Instagram.

Yours in the fight, Rakim

Sign our Justice Thomas Resign petition.

Federal Courts

It has been an exciting couple of weeks for the federal judiciary. On Wednesday, the Senate Judiciary’s Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, And Federal Rights held a hearing entitled “Ensuring an Impartial Judiciary: Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act of 2023,” to discuss how Congress can act to hold the Court accountable amidst an ongoing series of high-profile violations of ethics guidelines and law by justices.

The corruption of our highest court matters. Our recent research confirms that Justice Thomas consistently issues rulings that benefit billionaires like his benefactor Harlan Crow. For example, as AFJ Dorot Fellow Mari Nemec highlights in her latest blog post, Justice Thomas recently joined the majority’s decision in Glacier Northwest v. International Brotherhood of Teamsters, a decision that weakened Americans’ ability to collectively bargain and makes it easier for Thomas' billionaire friends to exploit workers for profit.

We are delighted that on Wednesday, the Senate confirmed Dale Ho (S.D.N.Y), whose nomination has been pending since September 2021. As one of the nation’s premier civil rights attorneys, Mr. Ho has spent his career fighting for our most critical constitutional rights and legal protections. Mr. Ho will also be one of only two Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) men sitting on the Southern District of New York. On Thursday, it confirmed Nusrat Choudhury (E.D.N.Y)., who in addition to bringing experience protecting our civil liberties to the bench, is now the first ever Muslim woman and Bangladeshi American to serve as a federal judge.

After waiting 21 months, the Senate also finally confirmed Judge Hernán D. Vera (C.D.Cal.), the son of Argentine immigrants who was recommended by Senators Alex Padilla and Dianne Feinstein of California. Judge Vera spent the majority of his career at Public Counsel, the largest pro bono public interest firm in the world. Specializing in class action suits, Judge Vera started as Directing Attorney of the Consumer Law Project and ultimately served as President and CEO.

State Courts

The state courts team launched a new video highlighting the most recent attack on voting rights from the North Carolina Supreme Court. In a shocking move earlier this year, the NC Supreme Court decided under a new conservative majority to re-hear cases involving redistricting and voting rights that it had previously ruled on in December 2022. You can watch the video here.

Sandra Slack Glover, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont’s nominee to fill a vacancy on the state supreme court, asked the governor to withdraw her nomination following backlash in response to a letter she previously signed in support of Amy Coney Barrett.

AFJ sent a letter to Governor Lamont urging him to nominate a candidate who can bring muchneeded professional and demographic diversity to the state’s highest court. Read member organization People’s Parity Project’s report on the lack of professional diversity on the Connecticut Supreme Court here.

Latest Resources from Bolder Advocacy

Bolder Advocacy is here to support nonprofits and activists in their missions, whether it’s in defense of bail fund organizations or fighting for fairness in redistricting and voting rights.

In partnership with the Democracy Capacity Project, we’ve released two new Practical Guidance State Lobbying resources for Massachusetts and New Jersey, with more on the way!

Don’t miss the latest episodes of our Rules of the Game podcast, featuring discussions on how to advocate for the resignation of a problematic public official and whether your organization needs a PAC.

Our spotlighted member for June and July is CenterLink. In case you missed it, our March member spotlight for April and May was Western Leaders Network.

Norm Rosenberg Board Member and Longtime Supporter

“AFJ is one of the most important social justice organizations in our country. It is seeking to produce a fair honest, judiciary, and independent court where people have access to justice and to the court in a time when that access is essential.”

AFJ Board Member Norm Rosenberg brings legal expertise, as well as nonprofit management and grantmaking experience to his leadership role with the organization. He has been lending his support and expertise to AFJ for decades and has been a committed partner in the fight for justice since our earliest days “AFJ is one of the most important social justice organizations in our country,” he says. “It is seeking to produce a fair honest, judiciary, and independent court where people have access to justice and to the court in a time when that access is essential.”

Read our full profile of Norm.

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