Last week, I sent out an email about the Senate Judiciary vote that would be any day. That ‘day’ looks like it will be this Wednesday. To briefly recap, Governor Dan McKee nominated (former Senate Majority Leader) Michael McCaffrey to the Rhode Island District Court, which is a lifetime appointment.
Now the Senate must vote whether to support or reject McCaffrey. Given McCaffrey’s anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ political history, which you can read more about in our press release, we feel he cannot be trusted to serve the best interest of Rhode Islanders. Read this OpEd in Newport Daily News from Sunday about it and today’s Boston Globe OpEd by former Senator Gayle Goldin.
Here are a few simple facts:
The Senate Judiciary Committee vote will take place this Wednesday, January 28. Please urge your local senator to vote NO (again if done before), as this vote sets a dangerous precedent by blurring the separation of powers and ignoring McCaffrey’s actions, while failing to defend bodily autonomy for all.
Similarly on Wednesday in the Judicial Nominating Committee, (former Senator) Stephen Archambault is up for one of two Superior Court Judicial nominations. Remember him? He is another judge candidate that follows in the dangers of McCaffrey for many similar voting records and his stance against reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ protections.
Please join us and send the messages below about these two dangerous former Senators and then come to the Senate Judiciary Committee meeting room on Wednesday after the rise to bear witness to the vote for McCaffrey or go the JNC meeting about Archambault.
Here’s what we need from you TODAY
1. (former Senate Majority Leader) Michael McCaffrey
A. Call, email, and social comment to Governor McKee:
Email: On the web
Phone: 401-222‑2080
Socials: FB/IG/X:@GovDanMcKee
Message:
Dear Governor McKee,
When you say you want to represent all Rhode Islanders, then rescind the nomination of Michael McCaffrey who does not support the rights and dignity for reproductive health care and LGBTQ+ rights. We further ask you to reject any future nominations to the bench if the nominee will not unequivocally protect bodily freedom and equality for all Rhode Islanders like former Senator Stephan Archambault who is coming up in the Judicial Nominating Committee. A anti-abortion, anti-LGBTQ lifetime appointment means decades of decisions that undermine rights, just as we are seeing at the national level.
Rhode Islanders want judges who reflect core values: honesty, integrity, and a deep commitment to equality under the law for all. Instead, what we are seeing is special-interest deals without upholding the separation of our three branches of government. Do the right thing in this election season and stand by your word to all of us, not a few of us.
Sincerely,
Your Name, Address
B. Call, email, and social comment to Senate President Val Lawson:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 401-222-6655
Facebook: @ValLawsonEP
Message:
Dear Senator Lawson,
As a Rhode Islander, I am asking you to reject and block judicial nominees who do not fully support reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ rights. We cannot afford to put women and minority communities at further risk. During your bid to become Senate President, you promised that you would protect people seeking abortion, the LGBTQ+ community, and other minority groups. That is why it is your duty to reject and block judicial nominees who have a history of doing the exact opposite.
Rhode Islanders want judges with honesty and integrity who can truly commit to protecting all Rhode Islanders equally. A bad lifetime appointment means decades of decisions that undermine rights, just as we are seeing at the national level.
Sincerely,
Your Name, Address
– – – – – – – –
2. (former Senator) Stephen Archambault
Emails: Chair: [email protected] ,
Vice Chair: [email protected]
Message:
Dear Committee Leaders,
As a Rhode Islander, I am asking you to reject and block judicial nominee Stephen Archambault for both judicial positions he is nominated for. During his tenure as a Senator as recently as 2022, he voted against the safety and support of reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights. We cannot afford to put women and minority communities at further risk by his nomination. Take for example how he handled the last day of his Senate Judiciary hearing for the Reproductive Privacy Act.
Rhode Islanders want judges with honesty and integrity who can truly commit to protecting all Rhode Islanders equally. A bad lifetime appointment means decades of decisions that undermine rights, just as we are seeing at the national level. Please vote him down for his bid of both Superior Judge positions.
Sincerely,
Your Name, Address
– – – – – – – –
The Womxn Project is organizing today for the future we deserve. We hold out hope that Rhode Island can uphold bodily freedom as non-negotiable and the courts remain independent, merit-based, and accountable as a coequal branch of government. We urge every Rhode Islander to join us, speak out against the McCaffery and the Archambault nominations, and demand a judiciary that reflects our values and protects all our rights.
