Today, it was an honor to stand by Florida Supreme Court Justice-Designate Renatha Francis in the City of Miramar. Governor Ron DeSantis appointed her to fill one of two vacancies. Her appointment is being challenged on a technicality and if successful, it would prevent a qualified jurist who happens to be a Black Woman, and an Immigrant from Jamaica from being the only woman and person of color on Florida’s highest court. I stand in opposition of many issues with our governor however, this issue is too important to not take a stand. I spoke with the Governor at length today and his staff on yesterday when the request was made to have the press conference in Miramar. If she is not seated, Florida’s highest court would not have one Justice who is Black and potentially could not have even a woman on the bench. The lawsuit should be dropped and Justice-Designate Renatha Francis should be seated as the first Jamaican-American Justice in this state’s history. She is truly an inspiration to all Floridians.

photographer: gregory Reed, MFA