Rev. Al Sharpton Questions Carney for Closing Delaware State Offices for Juneteenth after Nominating another White Justice to the All-White Chancery

Rev. Sharpton has joined Citizens for Judicial Fairness to demand diverse judges be appointed to Delaware Courts and hold Carney Accountable to Delaware’s residents of color

WILMINGTON, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- On Monday, Delaware state offices will be closed to honor the Juneteenth holiday for the second year following President Biden’s executive order to make Juneteenth a federal holiday. While recognizing the holiday is a significant step toward justice for Black Americans, the urgency to show meaningful action in the pursuit of equity for Black Americans has grown. Citizens for Judicial Fairness has been working for years alongside local activists and national civil rights leaders to draw attention to the lack of diversity in Delaware’s leadership. Rev. Al Sharpton has joined the local groups to rally for diversity in courts, specifically the Chancery court that holds power for more than a million companies headquartered in the state. Although President Biden has modeled the highest level of diversity through his court appointments and cabinet members, Governor Carney has not followed suit. While naming diversity as a priority, Governor Carney has passed three times on the opportunity to add a justice of color to the Chancery court.

National Action Network’s Rev. Al Sharpton stated: “Under President Biden’s leadership, we have gained momentum in honoring the Juneteenth holiday for its historical significance and its integral role in healing the racism that remains more than 150 years after slavery ended. We continue to call on Governor Carney to follow President Biden in delivering on his promises to increase Black justices and justices of color in Delaware’s Courts and leadership. We have demanded and been denied three times by Governor Carney to add just one person of color to the Chancery court which impacts millions of workers across the country. It is good and right to honor Juneteenth, but it is a hollow act without equity for those who have been wronged by the institution we recognize on this important day.”