WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 13
Queens’ diversity shown in recent judge picks
BY GREGORY MEEKS
The recent Democratic National
Convention has fi lled us with
hope for our country. In prime
time, we’ve seen the diversity of the
Democratic Party, its inclusivity and
unifying nature, and the focus on
justice that we all share. The historic
nature of Joe Biden selecting Kamala
Harris as his running mate shows our
party represents Americans’ views
on justice and eff ective governance.
As Democrats convened nationally
to set a new course for our country,
I’m reminded that all politics is local.
A few weeks earlier, I joined fellow
Democrats from across Queens to
determine the future course of justice
in New York State, and nominated
Democratic candidates for NY State’s
Supreme Court 11th Judicial District.
Our Queens values of progress, diversity,
and inclusion in the pursuit
of justice were evident among the
attending delegates. Whether as fi rsttime
delegates — like Emilia Decaudin,
who was also recently elected district
leader, one of the fi rst two transgender
district leaders in Queens — or
as veteran delegates, everyone was
focused fairness and equality.
I was honored to welcome delegates
and introduce Hon. Randall T. Eng as
chair. He was the fi rst elected Asian-
American Supreme Court judge
from Queens, and rose to become the
presiding judge of the Second Department.
Thirty years ago he’d received
his own nomination to the Supreme
Court. Queens has been a hallmark of
progress for decades.
Those values were present as candidates
for nomination were announced.
Of the nine judges nominated, six are
women, four are people of color, and
all collectively represent Queens’
diversity and brilliance.
For instance, Hon. Lance P. Evans,
is an Ivy League graduate, lawyer,
professor, community leader, and an
example of the excellence that comes
from Queens. Or perhaps consider
Hon. Michelle A. Johnson — a fi rstgeneration
American, Beach Channel
High School alum, HBCU cum laude
graduate, and George Washington
University Law graduate — who
shows that the promise of our country
is alive and well.
There’s also Hon. Karina E. Alomar,
a St. John’s Law graduate, whose career
accomplishments and awards,
and track record of jurisprudence,
can have anyone wondering how
just one person can do so much in
the name of justice. I was humbled
to hear Hon. Mojgan C. Lancman say
she feels blessed every day to be part
OP-ED
of a community where a political
refugee can rise to such an esteemed
position.
I was equally encouraged by the
nominees and delegates that evening.
Each delegate spoke with conviction
in support of these judges and each
delegate showed up with a commitment
to justice.
Conversations these days can, at
times, be diffi cult and draining. Too
many of us have felt the yoke of injustice
for years. Too many of us have felt
it even more viscerally over the last
few months. It’s clear: justice requires
constant pursuit.
It’s encouraging that no matter the
diffi culty ahead, young people will
do everything they can to demand
justice. We see that no matter the diffi
culty ahead, our communities will
come together to survive a crisis that
the president has failed to contain. We
see that no matter the diffi culty ahead,
our party has nominated and is poised
to elect an African-American woman
as our vice president.
As history talks about the Civil
Rights Movement, so too will they
talk about today — what we have done
to ensure Black lives matter and that
immigrants have the right to pursue
a better life in America. The camera
of history is rolling and the viewers
of the future will analyze what we did
today to stand for liberty and justice
for all.
Gregory Meeks is the chairman of the
Democratic Organization of Queens
County.
SNAPS
LUNCH BREAK AT KISSENA PARK
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY GEORGE SEBASTIAN
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