Friday, March 29th 2024   |

OP-ED: Justice Kennedy’s retirement a huge blow to the future of our rights

By INA DAVIS and MADDIE FIREMAN, Special to the CCJN

The retirement of Justice Kennedy bodes ill for the future of many issues the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) cares deeply about and that affect all Americans and others living in our country. From reproductive rights to civil rights, from immigration to civil liberties and to many other matters of urgent concern, we have reason to be alarmed about what kind of justice President Trump will nominate. With the elimination of the filibuster, a tool for moderation, we worry how that nominee will be judged by the Senate.

“The odds are great that the next nominee will resemble Neil Gorsuch in ideology. Regardless, we will not back down in our efforts to educate the public about what is at stake when a Supreme Court seat is open, as well as when federal judges are nominated at every level to lifetime seats. We will not back down in our efforts let our senators know how we regard any nominee. We will not give up pointing out how much voting in November matters to the direction of our judicial branch. We will continue fighting to preserve rights we have won over the past decades. And, we will not stop until we save our federal courts from ideological extremists’ intent on favoring the wealthy and corporations over everyday Americans.

The NCJW is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. More information is on Facebook and on Twitter at @NCJW.

(Ina Davis and Maddie Freeman both serve on the local board of the New Orleans Section of the NCJW. Ina Davis also volunteers as part of the national NCJW board.)

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