WASHINGTON, D.C., March 30 – Following the death of Judge Stephen Reinhardt of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, AFJ President Nan Aron released the following statement:
“Judge Reinhardt was a towering figure on the Ninth Circuit, and as a jurist his moral compass never wavered. He understood that the law provides a path to affirming the rights and dignity of all humanity. His role in the ruling that struck down California’s unconstitutional and unconscionable ban on same-sex marriage is just part of a legacy of courageous rulings on behalf of many vulnerable communities, including immigrants, prisoners, and people of color. Our love and admiration for this unique man could not be greater, and we will always be grateful for his life’s work.”