Black women reject nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to U.S. Supreme Court

Statement of In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda President and CEO Marcela Howell  

WASHINGTON — This week, the U.S. Senate began the confirmation hearing of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to fill the vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court. In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda President and CEO Marcela Howell issued the following statement in response:

“Trump’s far-right nominee to fill Justice Ginsberg’s seat on the U.S. Supreme Court not only is an insult to the memory of a tireless advocate for human rights, outspoken protector of equality and a lifelong advocate for fairness and justice, but also threatens the civil rights and very lives of women and communities of color, workers, immigrants, LGBTQ+ folks, young people and everyone in this country whose fundamental rights are under attack by systemic oppression.

“Judge Amy Coney Barrett threatens the Constitution, our fundamental rights and democracy itself.

“We reject her nomination in the middle of an election and demand that the GOP majority let the people decide. We urge the president and the Senate to stop playing partisan politics with our health care and, instead, focus on providing people with the necessary help they need during this global pandemic. Instead of arguing before the Court to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, Congress should be taking action to save lives and help communities across the country struggling under COVID-19 and its resulting economic recession.

“People’s liberty and lives are at stake. Voters should have a say in the future of the high court and our country.”

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In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda is a national Reproductive Justice organization focused on lifting up the voices of Black women leaders at the national, regional and state levels in our ongoing fight to secure Reproductive Justice for Black women, femmes, queer, trans and gender non-conforming people and youth. Our strategic partners include Black Women for Wellness, Black Women’s Health Imperative, New Voices for Reproductive Justice, SisterLove, Inc., SisterReach, SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW, The Afiya Center and Women With A Vision.