More than 100 New York judges of color sign letter affirming equal justice in court
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Queens County Criminal Court Supervising Judge Michelle A. Johnson (left) and Queens Supreme Court, Criminal Term Justice Kenneth Holder were among 13 Queens judges who signed the letter ensuring a commitment to equal justice under the law. Eagle file photo by Christina Santucci
By David Brand
Thirteen Queens judges of color have added their names to a statewide letter affirming their commitment to equal justice and treatment under the law. The letter, published Wednesday, was signed by more than 100 jurists of color across New York.
The judges, organized by Syracuse City Court Judge Derrek Thomas, said they felt compelled to address the community in the wake of nationwide protests following the police killing of George Floyd.
“Each day we seek to dispel any narrative or belief that looks upon courts as instruments of injustice, by treating each person fairly and impartially while upholding our oaths to the constitutions of the State of New York and the United States,” the judges wrote. “However, there is much work to be done, and we like all judges must be mindful of the impact of systemic racism or bias in fulfilling the court’s responsibility to ensure equal justice to all under the law.”
The letter cites a passage from Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois’ 1903 book “The Souls of Black Folk.”
Black and African Americans “coming more and more to look upon law and justice, not as protecting safeguards, but as sources of humiliation and oppression,” wrote DuBois, the first Black man to earn a Ph.D from Harvard University.
The judges said such sentiments persist 117 years later among people of color.
“We reaffirm our commitment to make a positive difference within our respective courts each day and to ensure that those appearing before us are treated equally, with the respect and dignity that both the law and humanity require,” they continued.
The Queens judges who signed the letter include Hon. Karina Alomar, Hon. Jeffrey Gershuny, Hon. Connie Gonzalez, Hon. Karen Gopee, Hon. Wyatt Gibbons, Hon. Kenneth Holder, Hon. Phillip Hom, Hon. Michelle Johnson, Hon. Dean Kusakabe, Hon. John Lansden, Hon. Mildred Negron, Hon. Toko Serita and Hon. Enedina Pilar Sanchez.
Read the letter:
Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated Hon. Connie Gonzalez’s last name. We regret the error.
