DOVER, Del. Today, grassroots advocacy group Citizens for Judicial
Fairness joined forces with famed civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton and local activists Pastor
Blaine Hackett and Kendra Ray, sister of Jeremy McDole, to denounce the scheduled confirmation of
Nathan Cook to the Delaware Court of Chancery.
The confirmation hearing is scheduled for 1:30 PM and Cook is expected to be confirmed easily, despite
the fact that his appointment to the Chancery means it will remain all-white. Ray, Hackett, and a
representative from Sharpton’s National Action Network will make public comments at the hearing
demanding the Senate not confirm Cook given the lack of diversity and equity on the Court.
Said Reverend Al Sharpton, “I am deeply disappointed that today, equity will once again be denied on
the Court of Chancery. It is shameful for the Chancery Court to remain all-white in 2022 when Delaware
is 40% people of color and the decisions the court makes affect millions of Black and brown employees
across the country. It is imperative that Delaware’s leaders, starting with Governor Carney, recognize
this egregious wrong and begin taking meaningful steps to restore trust in its justice system through
diverse court appointments.”
Said police reform and racial justice activist Keandra Ray, “I’m testifying before the Senate Executive
Committee today because the lack of diversity in our courts is disgusting. Governor Carney and his
cronies in the Senate should be ashamed of this appointment. I’m not going to stop fighting until our
courts actually look like us and deliver the justice we deserve.”
“230 years of an all-white Chancery Court – and only a single Black justice in the court’s entire history –
is a stain on the state of Delaware and an indictment of Governor Carney’s failed leadership,”
said Citizens for Judicial Fairness Campaign Manager Chris Coffey. “Delawareans deserve leaders who
talk the talk, not just walk the walk, on judicial equity and fairness. We’re going to keep up our efforts to
fight the Delaware ‘Old Boys Club’ that excludes and ignores the state’s most vulnerable communities
until we see real progress and accountability.”
