APALA and LCLAA Condemn Trump’s Anti-Worker Nominees to Federal Circuit Courts
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2020
APALA Contact: Michelle Loo, Michelle@apalanet.org
LCLAA Contact: Andrea Arenas, 202-316-1212
Washington D.C.- The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), AFL-CIO and Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) condemns Trump’s nominations for the two vacant seats on the federal circuit court: Justin Walker to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, the second most powerful court in the country, and Cory Wilson to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Walker and Wilson are both anti-worker activists who are determined to strip us of our right to organize and other workers’ rights, civil rights, voting rights, abortion rights, LGBTQ rights, immigrant rights, and much more. There are only two vacant seats left on the federal circuit court. This is important because while the Supreme Court only takes up dozens of cases a year, hundreds of cases are decided at the circuit court level that impact our communities.
“Imbuing Walker and Wilson with the power to make court rulings and policies that could impact workers’ rights for generations to come is irresponsible and a blatant blow to our communities. These two are unfit to serve lifetime seats on the federal bench that give them the power to shape and strip many civil rights and economic priorities.” said Alvina Yeh, Executive Director of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance.
“The confirmation of Justin Walker and Cory Wilson represent a serious attempt to undermine our nation’s democracy and liberties by transforming our justice system into a powerful and dangerous body that will have a detrimental impact on American law and its ability to rule in an unbiased and just manner. These appointments could limit our government’s authority to protect workers’ rights, civil liberties, immigrants, health care access, to name a few, in exchange for unchecked executive power. We vehemently oppose these pernicious appointments, and are committed to continue advocating for a justice system capable of upholding our nation’s values,” said Yanira Merino, LCLAA National President.
Senators vote to confirm nominees. Senators do not often hear from constituents on federal judges therefore every call to our Senators matter. It is up to us to make our voices heard:
Call your Member of Congress at (202) 224-3121 and urge them to (1) reject Justin Walker’s nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and (2) reject Cory Wilson to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Sample Script:
“Hello, my name is [your name] and I am calling to urge [your Senator] to (1) reject Justin Walker’s nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and (2) reject Cory Wilson to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. It is the responsibility of US Circuit Judges to preside fairly but Walker and Wilson have both shown time and time again that they are anti-worker, anti-gay, anti-immigrant, and anti-women. They are not fit to be US Circuit Judges so I urge the Senator to reject their confirmation. Thank you, that’s what I have to share with the Senator. My zip code is [your zip code].”
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The Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) is the leading national organization for Latino(a) workers and their families. LCLAA was born in 1972 out of the need to educate, organize and mobilize Latinos in the labor movement and has expanded its influence to organize Latinos in an effort to impact workers’ rights and their influence in the political process. LCLAA represents the interest of more than 2 million Latino workers in the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), The Change to Win Federation, Independent Unions and all its membership. Visit LCLAA on the web at www.lclaa.org, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO is the first and only national organization of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) workers, most of whom are union members, and our allies advancing worker, immigrant and civil rights. Since its founding in 1992, APALA has played a unique role in addressing the workplace issues of AAPI union members and workers and in serving as the bridge between the broader labor movement and the AAPI community. Visit APALAnet.org to learn more or find us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.