Graphic featuring two images of AFJ President Rakim Brooks - blue and red filtered and not - with the text ''PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE''

Hi John,

Last week, I attended the naming ceremony of Ruth J. Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice at Brown University. During her tenure as president of Brown and the first Black person to lead an Ivy League institution, President Simmons launched a fact-finding inquiry into Brown’s historical ties to slavery. That would lead to a comprehensive report in 2006 and, in 2012, the creation of the center that now bears her name.

I was an undergraduate at Brown while Ruth was the president, and Ruth’s trailblazing vision still informs my work today.

Indeed, at the ceremony, Ruth shared wisdom that I now want to share with you: “One of the best things we do as human beings is continue the work of justice. I can’t think of anything that is more humanizing than applying ourselves to that in every generation.”

Nothing could be more true, more timely, or more central to the work we do at AFJ. As we continue to strategize after the devastating losses from the last Supreme Court term and prepare for the new term to start in October, I am inspired by the passion of the progressive movement and our dedication to securing equal rights for all. The road ahead is long, but we walk it together.

Ruth's investigation into historical injustice, persistent inequities, and our moral obligations to respond were controversial at the time. But she showed unique courage and an unwavering commitment to the truth. Today, Brown’s work represents the gold-standard for confronting our past to build a better future. May we embrace her example and live to see the world embrace ours.

Yours in the fight,

Rakim

p.s. Those in the Washington. D.C. area: please join us this evening for Holding Court: Supreme Court Term Preview, featuring remarks from Representatives Balint, Raskin, and Ross, a panel discussion featuring friends of AFJ with expertise on issues to be decided by the Supreme Court this term, and a reception with food and refreshments. Please register to join us later today.

Sign our Justice Thomas Resign petition.

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Federal Courts

In the past two weeks, the Biden Administration has announced two new slates of judicial nominations. Here are the nominees that we at AFJ are particularly excited about:

Judge Mustafa Kasubhai (D. OR). Judge Kasubhai is a labor rights champion and LGBTQ+ advocate who has spent the last five years serving as a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the District of Oregon. If confirmed, Judge Kasubhai would be the first Muslim person to serve on the Oregon District Court and the third Muslim judge to serve on a federal court.
Judge Shanlyn A.S. Park (D. HI). Currently a judge on the First Circuit Court in O’ahu, Judge Park spent an impressive twenty years working in public defense. Judge Park’s confirmation would make her the only Native Hawaiian woman serving on a federal court.

In other good news, Judge Jeffrey Cummings was confirmed to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Judge Cummings’ extensive experience both as a magistrate judge and a litigator will be an asset to the federal bench.

State Courts

North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls, the only Black woman on the state’s highest court, recently gave an interview in which she discussed the lack of diversity in the state’s appellate bench. Justice Earls was then informed by the North Carolina Judicial Standards Commission that her comments were being investigated for possible violation of the state's Code of Judicial Conduct, a process that could result in sanctions or even her removal from the bench. In response, Justice Earls filed a lawsuit against the commission asserting that their investigation is an unconstitutional breach of her First Amendment right to protected political speech.

Wisconsin legislators have set their sights on newly sworn-in Justice Janet Protasiewicz, whose presence on the state’s highest court has flipped the balance of power to progressives for the first time in 15 years. Conservative legislators are now threatening to impeach Justice Protasiewicz if she does not recuse herself from hearing any cases related to the state’s politically-charged district maps. In response, Justice Protasiewicz publicized a determination from the state’s judicial standards commission ruling that her comments did not violate its judicial canons. Despite the ruling, Republicans have not backed away from their impeachment threats, and voters have filed a lawsuit to block the legislature from moving forward with any efforts to impeach her.

The State Courts team has recently cheered new gubernatorial appointments of terrific state supreme court judges in Minnesota, Oregon, and North Carolina.

Latest Resources from Bolder Advocacy

With election season upon us, Bolder Advocacy wants to make sure your nonprofit’s voter engagement and GOTV efforts are amplified AND compliant. Our Nonprofit Voter Assistance series, created in partnership with the Democracy Capacity Project, helps nonprofits navigate these complexities.

Graphic with an outline of a person shouting into a bullhorn while holding the scales of Justice, over a blue and teal-colored image of a group of protestors

We all know ballot initiatives have the power to drive progressive policy change, so it is no surprise that government officials have recently attempted to limit citizens’ ability to pursue policy change at the ballot box. Learn more about how nonprofits can protect this vital tool for direct democracy.

Lastly, don't miss our recent Rules of the Game podcast episodes on all things voter registration and evaluating advocacy.

Our spotlighted member for August and September is Texas Freedom Network. In case you missed it, our Member spotlight for June and July was CenterLink.

Oval photo of Robert Pennoyer within a blue-and-red gradient frame

AFJ Remembers Robert Pennoyer

1925-2023

This August, Alliance for Justice lost one of its most staunch supporters, Robert Pennoyer. Robert and his family have supported AFJ for going on two decades. In 2013, at our New York City gala, we honored him with the Champion of Justice Award for his lifelong support of civil and other human rights. A brilliant lawyer, a member of the Greatest Generation, an accomplished author, a generous philanthropist, and a wonderful man, we will miss him.

AFJ President Rakim Brooks says: "Bob was one of the first AFJ donors I met after becoming President in 2021. I was touched by his unwavering support of AFJ and galvanized by his commitment to the courts, democracy, and justice. A brilliant man with a fascinating life history and the best stories, he will be deeply missed. We are looking forward to inaugurating a new award in his honor The Robert Pennoyer Justice Award."

Read more on the life and legacy of Robert Pennoyer from his firm Patterson Belknap.

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