Today, following Governor John Carney’s announcement that he will nominate yet another white man, Nathan Cook, to replace outgoing Chancery Court Vice Chancellor Joseph R. Slights III on the Chancery Court, Citizens for Judicial Fairness and a coalition of judicial equity advocates from Delaware and nationwide slammed the decision.

Said Reverend Al Sharpton, “Governor Carney has ignored the pleas of his constituents and betrayed his own professed commitment to diversity and equity with this decision. The all white chancery should not remain all white in the year 2022 in a state with nearly 40% people of color. Delaware will never achieve trust in its justice system until judges look like the people they represent. This is a massive step backwards and a slap in the face to myself and every Delawarean and local minister who have joined me to rally in the streets for more fair and equitable courts – but we will not be silenced. I will oppose this nomination strongly in the State Senate and ask that they hear from me and Pastor Hackett, Martin, and others. Enough is enough.”

“This decision tells Black children – my children – that they don’t belong in positions of power,” said police reform and racial justice activist Keandra Ray. “It’s disgusting that in 2022 we’re still fighting for bare scraps of justice in this state. We won’t stand for this. We need to take down Governor Carney and the machine of white privilege that keeps him and men like him in power once and for all.”

Said Citizens for Judicial Fairness Campaign Manager Chris Coffey, “This a spineless decision from Governor Carney. He should be ashamed – we will fight this with grassroots and paid media and we won’t stop.”

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