Washington, DC — A statement from Katrina Dizon Mariategue, Acting Executive Director of Southeast Asia Resource Action Center, on the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg this past weekend:
“SEARAC mourns the loss of civil and human rights champion Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the second woman ever to serve as a Supreme Court justice. Before and during her 27-year tenure on the Court, Justice Ginsburg dedicated her entire career to a core value that grounds SEARAC’s work: that equal protection under the law should be applied to everyone, regardless of race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or religion. Justice Ginsburg was a fierce defender of rights for women and LGBTQ individuals, and advanced justice for millions of Americans, including Southeast Asian Americans. SEARAC vows to honor her legacy by holding our country’s leadership accountable and by fighting for the integrity of the bedrock American principles of ‘liberty and justice for all.’”
ACTION ALERT:
Contact Your Senators Today and Demand That the US Public Decides Justice Ginsburg’s Replacement
Senate Republicans are moving quickly to fill the vacancy opened by Justice Ginsburg’s passing, potentially threatening access to health care under the Affordable Care Act and women’s reproductive rights under Roe v. Wade. With six weeks left until Election Day, we call on the Southeast Asian American community and our allies to demand a Supreme Court that is just and fair. As shown by President Trump’s past attacks on refugee and immigrant communities, we know he is incapable of picking a nominee who would provide equal justice under law. We must defend our democracy and say loud and clear, a rush to replace Justice Ginsburg’s seat will not be tolerated by the American public.
Take a few minutes to call or email your senator NOW
1. Call the US Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to speak with your Senate member. You can also click here to find the direct lines to your senator.
2. Find your senator’s email here.
3. Find sample language below:
Hi, my name is _______, and I am your constituent from (City, State). I am calling/writing to ask you to Vote No on a hearing to fill the Supreme Court vacancy during our current election year. Justice Ginsburg’s passing is a national tragedy, but instead of respecting her wishes to have her seat filled by the next president, the current administration and Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell are preparing to jam through a replacement. In 2016, Sen. McConnell consistently made one argument for not filling the seat after Justice Antonin Scalia’s passing: It was an election year, and voters should decide which presidential candidate should pick the next justice. Not following this precedent would be hypocritical, a brazen power grab that will strip Americans of our voice and vote. Stand with the American people and uphold democracy, Vote No on a rushed hearing to fill the Supreme Court vacancy. Thank you!