Washington, DC — In response to President Joe Biden announcement of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as his nominee to replace Justice Stephen Breyer on the Supreme Court, Chispa National Campaigns Manager Alejandra Ramirez-Zarate, released the following statement:

“We applaud President Biden’s decision to nominate Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first Black woman on the Supreme Court. Judge Jackson’s exceptional career and record of service will add much-needed expertise and equity lens to guide the Supreme Court’s decisions. The Supreme Court’s extensive power is critical at a time when civil and human rights, particularly for Black, Indigenous, and people of color, are under attack. We require a Justice for the people. Judge Jackson will add needed insight and impartiality based on legal expertise gained during her decades of experience as a federal appeals court judge, federal district court judge, Vice Chair of the US Sentencing Commission, and federal public defender.”

For far too long, Black women have fought for fair recognition, representation, and compensation for their labor. Judge Jackson’s confirmation to the nation’s highest court brings us closer to realizing a democracy that works for all its people, particularly women of color, but we know this is not enough. We need to address socioeconomic disparities and institute critical reforms that facilitate entry and create pathways for Black women into the legal and other fields. Our country will only succeed when we address the intentional and historic neglect and exclusion of Black communities and work to remove barriers through intentional policy-making that addresses those critical needs. Chispa LCV strongly supports Judge Jackson’s nomination and calls on the Senate to provide a speedy and equitable confirmation process.

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