April, 07 2022, 02:36pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Center for Popular Democracy Action Celebrates the Historic Supreme Court Confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson
Judge Jackson will be the first Black woman to serve as Supreme Court Justice.
WASHINGTON
Today, Center for Popular Democracy Action spokesperson Julia Peter released the following statement in celebration of the historic nomination of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court:
"Finally, the Supreme Court has a Black woman as a justice. A justice who will also be the first with experience as a public defender. We are thrilled to have reached this historic moment with a Supreme Court justice we know will make us proud and add a desperately needed voice and background to the highest court in the land.
"Our legal system disproportionately negatively impacts Black women and people of color, and it's critical for our courts to be more representative of our country, from local judges up to justices on our nation's highest court. We hope Judge Jackson's confirmation is one of many steps we take toward a more representative democracy."
"Today is a celebratory day, one we hope comes more often as we continue our fight for a more just and representative government. Judge Jackson has proven she's going to carry out her duty on the Supreme Court with honor and with a dedication to fairness and the needs of our people. We couldn't be more proud of our work to support her nomination and we are committed to continuing our work for a Supreme Court that is truly representative of our nation. We know passing the Judiciary Act is the only way to restore balance to the court and save our democracy. We will not stop until this is achieved."
Last week, the CPD Network held actions in Washington D.C. to show our support for Judge Jackson. Affiliates Alaskans Take a Stand, SPACEs in Action, Action NC, Our Future WV, Rights and Democracy VT, RAD NH, and members from over a dozen states rallied on the SCOTUS steps with Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin on Monday, March 21, the first day of the confirmation hearings.
On Tuesday, March 22 SPACEs in Action led a dance party outside the US Senate along with the group Live GoGo. We finished the week meeting with Senators directly, hosting a 2-day phone bank to constituents in West Virginia, Alaska, and Maine focused on generating calls to Senators Collins, Murkowski, and Manchin.
Friday, April 8, CPDA and partners will throw a celebration outside the Supreme Court to show our excitement and joy over Judge Jackson's confirmation.
Select photos from the events can be found here and should be attributed to Lee Alexander Photography NY: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jTNsAnItetVV8fkCjfd9XO2cqNcKxGVe
Spokespeople from the Center for Popular Democracy Action are available for interviews.
Center for Popular Democracy Action promotes equity, opportunity, and a dynamic democracy in partnership with innovative base-building organizations, organizing networks and alliances, and progressive unions across the country. CPD Action builds the strength and capacity of democratic organizations to envision and advance a pro-worker, pro-immigrant, racial justice agenda.
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During a Thursday U.S. State Department press conference in Washington, D.C., a reporter noted Gaza officials' claim that mass grave victims "including children were tortured before being killed" and that "some even showed signs of being buried alive, along with other crimes against humanity."
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Noting calls by Palestinian officials and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk for an independent probe into mass graves, the reporter said that "this administration repeatedly said that it asks... the Israeli government to investigate itself."
"How does it ever make sense that the United States asks the accused party to examine itself and provide reports that you have previously said that you actually trust?" the reporter asked State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel. "What's wrong with an independent, scientific, forensic investigation?"
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While National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Wednesday called reports of mass grave atrocities "deeply disturbing" and said that "we want answers" from Israel, he did not call for an independent investigation.
When the reporter pressed Patel on the legitimacy of asking Israel to investigate itself, Patel said, "we believe that through a thorough investigation we can get some additional answers."
Thursday's exchange followed a similar back-and-forth on Tuesday between Patel and Said Arikat, a journalist for the Jerusalem-based
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Previous reporting on the mass graves quoted rescue workers who said they found people who were apparently executed while their hands were bound, with some victims missing heads, skin, and internal organs.
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"By directing two-thirds of total expenditure on social services and wage support, as well as by calibrating tax policy administration, South Africa continues to target a progressive tax and fiscal agenda that confronts the country's legacy of income and wealth inequality," they wrote.
The ministers continued:
It is time that the international community gets serious about tackling inequality and financing global public goods. One of the key instruments that governments have for promoting more equality is tax policy. Not only does it have the potential to increase the fiscal space governments have to invest in social protection, education, and climate protection. Designed in a progressive way, it also ensures that everyone in society contributes to the common good in line with their ability to pay. A fair share contribution enhances social welfare.
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Except the billionaires, of course. "I don't want to be naive. I know the superrich will fight," Zucman added. "They have a hatred of taxes on wealth. They will lobby governments. They will use the media they own."
A few months ago, no one wanted to talk int. taxes, let alone on the super rich. Now we have a process (#G20), finance ministers (\ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddf7 \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7 \ud83c\uddff\ud83c\udde6 \ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddf8 & others) supporting it, \ud83c\udde9\ud83c\uddea in part & everyone agreeing that proceeds should help fund climate and dev: https://t.co/ZldF557pAL— (@)
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Oxfam America policy lead Rebecca Riddell declared Thursday that "extreme inequality stands in the way of solving our most urgent global challenges. We need to tax the ultrawealthy."
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