Friday, Residents for Judicial Equity applauded the nomination of N. Christopher Griffiths to fill one in all two vacancies on the Delaware Supreme Courtroom, making him simply the second Black justice nominated to the state’s Supreme Courtroom in its 230-plus yr historical past, whereas urging Governor Carney to additional diversify the state’s high courts, together with the all-white Chancery Courtroom.

Keandra McDole, activist and Residents for Judicial Equity spokesperson stated, “N. Christopher Griffiths’ nomination to be the second Black justice ever on the Delaware Supreme Courtroom is a victory for all of us who’ve organized for courts that appear like us slightly than the all-white courts of outdated. There isn’t any query that our laborious work and devoted advocacy throughout Delaware since these vacancies opened was instrumental in compelling Governor Carney to do the precise factor and make this appointment. However we want extra, and this nomination is merely a primary step. The Chancery Courtroom stays all-white and Black justices proceed to be drastically underrepresented in our state’s high courts. We is not going to relaxation till the judiciary in our state really appears just like the individuals of our state.”

Stated civil rights icon Reverend Al Sharpton, “As we speak, we rejoice the appointment of Chris Griffiths, a outstanding Black legal professional, to the very best court docket in Delaware. Tomorrow, we get proper again to work to raise many extra like Chris Griffiths to essential judgeships throughout Delaware’s courts. The battle for variety and inclusion is greater than a righteous battle to make sure extra Black leaders have positions of energy after centuries of exclusion — it’s a essentially American superb that the establishments that form the legal guidelines and insurance policies that govern us should embody voices from all of our communities. That is how we make actual the promise of the Structure’s loftiest rules, and that is the battle we should proceed into the longer term — whilst we take inspiration now from Chris Griffiths’ well-deserved nomination.”