NAACP WEEKLY UPDATE

The New York Times:Ketanji Brown Jackson Becomes First Black Female Supreme Court Justice
“In the wake of such far-right extremism poisoning our nation’s highest court, she will bring a voice — and a vote — of compassion, respect for human rights, and honor for the rule of law,” Derrick Johnson, president of the NAACP, said in a statement. He said that her swearing-in was “the greatest news for Black America coming out of this Supreme Court in a long, long time.”

TheGrio:Justice Jackson’s ascension to Supreme Court brings ‘light of hope,’ as nation grapples with abortion ruling
Janette McCarthy Wallace, NAACP General Counsel, told theGrio that she is feeling a “wave of emotions.” “Today marks one of the most significant historical achievements for the Black community, and the value of having representation on the nation’s highest court as we battle for our basic, fundamental rights, is unmatched,” said Wallace. “It is now possible for Black women and girls who dream of reaching the highest levels of governments to see, and understand that they can do anything they set their minds to.”

The Hill:Ketanji Brown Jackson’s swearing-in a ‘monumental moment’ for Black women
In a statement, NAACP President Derrick Johnson said he was “excited” to call Jackson “justice.” “Not only do we finally have a Black woman on the bench, but a highly qualified professional who will represent Black women, and all Americans, well,” he said. “Jackson will bring much more than a vote in Supreme Court decisions, she will bring her voice. And in the wake of such far-right extremism poisoning our nation’s highest court, she will bring a voice — and a vote — of compassion, respect for human rights, and honor for the rule of law.”

Black Enterprise:NAACP: Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade reversal will disproportionately impact Black women
The NAACP attacked the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and 50 years of precedent allowing women the right to an abortion, which it says will disproportionately affect Black women. The vote to overturn Roe Friday was a 5-4 decision. Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett joined Justice Samuel Alito’s opinion.

Newsweek:NAACP Says SCOTUS Is ‘Extremist’
NAACP President Derrick Johnson described the U.S. Supreme Court as “extremist” in a statement shared with Newsweek that acknowledged Associate Justice Stephen Breyer’s impending retirement. His statement came in the wake of several controversial rulings by the court, including one last week that overturned Roe v. Wade.

The Hill:Supreme Court revives GOP-drawn Louisiana voting map halted for likely racial bias
The Louisiana-based federal judge, in her June 6 preliminary ruling, said the challengers were likely to ultimately prevail in their case. The plaintiffs include a group of Louisiana voters who are backed by the NAACP and other voting rights advocacy groups.

TheGrio:Vice President Harris, Biden officials to attend Essence Festival
Campbell told theGrio that leaders from battleground states will be present as primary elections are underway. The NAACP and National Action Network will also be there to promote civic engagement. Friday is a big day for Essence Festival with a focus on the federal government and the Biden administration. Cabinet secretaries will sit down in a conversation about administrative successes and agenda items.

New York State Bar Association:NAACP President Calls White Supremacy the Greatest Threat to Democracy at NYSBA Juneteenth Event
NAACP President Derrick Johnson called white supremacy the most significant threat to democracy at a New York State Bar Association event in celebration of the first federally recognized holiday of Juneteenth. “The white supremacist dogma dominating the public square is pulling democracy apart,” Johnson said. “What we witnessed on Jan. 6th is an example of what individuals are willing to do to maintain power, domination, control. It is an example of how political parties have been usurped or paralyzed.”

iHeart Radio:Pharrell Williams Pays Off Recent North Carolina Graduate’s Student Loans
Damarius Davis graduated from North Carolina A&T in May and, like many other graduates across the U.S., was saddled with thousands of dollars of student loan debt. Earlier this month, not long after graduation, he was selected for an NAACP panel in Washington, D.C. to discuss the debt crisis for Black students around the country, per WFMY. During the panel discussion, which took place hours before Pharrell’s Something In The Water music festival, he listened to other Black students speak on their experiences after graduating.