McCaffrey Nomination: NEXT STEPS TO STOP RI’s KAVANAUGH PROBLEM

Prevent an Anti-Democratic Judicial Nominee in RI

THANK YOU TO ALL who were able to write expediently and/or be present at short notice for the highly important RI Judge Commission Vote on Wednesday.

See the coverage from Rhode Island Currant we are interviewed in.

Your energy and focus on this work is UNPRECEDENTED for this branch of our state government. While rallies+ are important, this work is essential for everyone!

Our energy in this work is actively doing something local, which helps the 1.2 million people living in this state. Let’s be governed by a more equitable concept of democracy for decades to come, rather than insider deals and relationships.

What to know that informs the unique impact we have made thus far:

1. The Commission Chair asked every candidate but McCaffrey the same question, the one we asked her to ask. In McCaffrey’s opening remarks he claimed he has ‘evolved’ from the issues we are calling him out for regarding anti-reproductive rights, anti-marriage equality, for church/state messiness, anti-gun restrictions to name a few.
2. People rarely write testimony or show up at these judicial nominating events. On Wednesday night, 8 people were present, 6 of whom were our folks who stayed for the 4-hour meeting.
3. In the past, ALL the names in the final voting ledger shared below would have had ‘X’s next to everyone’s name. Not this time. This is why community outreach matters!

NOW WE NEED YOU FOR NEXT STEPS !

We are allowing the Governor to do the right thing. There are a couple of candidates that are qualified and answered emphatically they are for bodily freedom for all.

We encourage you to join us in writing or calling Governor McKee to vote for Maria Deaton or Robert Johnson, per the score card here.

Please do all 3 steps below as actions in this important work!

Regardless of what happens, as this is a deeply ingrained business as usual in backroom politics for RI, we are doing something significant together. The judicial branch can no longer ignore nepotistic votes that go against the mission of the commission directly (without people paying attention and speaking up).

– – – – – – – – –  4 Phase Breakdown – – – – – – – – – – – –

✔  Phase 1: DONE (Tues, July 8)
> Our Summary video
> Steve Alhquist’s full coverage

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✔  Phase 2: DONE (Wed, July 16)
> Steve Alhquist’s full coverage
“The Commission interviewed eight other people besides (former) Senator Michael McCaffrey on Wednesday….

When asked about their personal and professional views on “the rights of people to reproductive healthcare, including abortion, and the rights of the LGBTQIA community to marriage, healthcare, and bodily autonomy equal to all other Rhode Islanders,” even the weakest answers showed support.…

The Rhode Island Judicial Nominating Commission is obligated to take former State Senator Michael McCaffrey’s demonstrated history of bias towards the LGBTQ+ community seriously.

The enabling legislation establishing the JNC says explicitly, “The commission shall also consider the candidate’s sensitivity to historically disadvantaged classes, and may disqualify any candidate with a demonstrated history of bias towards any of these classes.” Sadly, most Commission members are in the privileged position of being able to ignore and dismiss McCaffrey’s history of bias. As a result, McCaffrey is one step closer to a lifetime appointment as Associate Justice on the Rhode Island District Court.”

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✔  Phase 3: Do it today still– reach out to Governor McKee!
if the commission passes this candidate out of committee, the Governor has to approve of the recommendation. Attention will be pointed to Governor McKee.

Ways you can reach out to the Governor Today!

• Sample Voicemail/Message (401- 222-2080):
  “My name is ____. I am a Rhode Island voter. I am encouraging you to represent the state’s majority of voters. Of the finalists being sent from the Judicial Nominating Commission, I ask you to choose a candidate that represents all people and has a history of doing so in their work. (Former) Senator McCaffrey may have said he has ‘evolved’ from being against abortion access, against marriage equality, not in support of gun safety nor willing to change his support for the blurriness of church and state politics, but his legal history does not prove this.

  I am urging you to vote for one of the other two finalists who received the same voting numeric outcome as he did, Maria Deaton or Robert Johnson. See their scorecard as proof. Do not vote for the inside candidate but one that represents all the people, not just some. Now more than ever we need leadership in all branches of government to take action for health equity and bodily autonomy. Senator McCaffrey does not have a history nor can we trust him at his word that he will now.”

   

• Send a quick email (so easy – just copy and paste). 
  Sample Email ([email protected]) :
  “My name is ____. I am a Rhode Island voter. I am encouraging you to represent the state’s majority of voters. Of the finalists being sent from the Judicial Nominating Commission, I ask you to choose a candidate that represents all people and has a history of doing so in their work.

  (Former) Senator McCaffrey may have said he has ‘evolved’ from being against abortion access, against marriage equality, not in support of gun safety, nor willing to change his support for the blurriness of church and state politics, but his legal history does not prove this.

  I am urging you to vote for one of the other two finalists who received the same voting numeric outcome as he did, Maria Deaton or Robert Johnson. See their scorecard as proof. Now more than ever we need leadership in all branches of government to take action for health equity and bodily autonomy. Senator McCaffrey does not have a history, nor can we trust him at his word that he will now. Thank you.
  Sincerely, Name”

• Post on social media and tag Governor McKee. 
  Sample Post:
  I’m urging @GovDanMcKee to live up to his commitment to represent all Rhode Islanders by voting for a judicial appointment that represents bodily autonomy and freedom. Join me in encouraging him to vote for candidates Maria Deaton or Robert Johnson for district court judge in Rhode Island #Repro4RI4All

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New Update:
⚠️ Phase 4: Mid-January
The Rhode Island Senate finalizes the vote in session. Call your own Senator and ask them to stand up against this candidate and encourage them to vote for two other highly candidates. Maria Deaton or Robert Johnson.