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Supreme Court Justices Scalia and Ginsburg Discuss First Amendment At Forum

Source: Alex Wong / Getty

Chief Justice Antonin Scalia‘s comments that African American students should attend “slower-track” schools won’t go away quietly. Colleigates responded with #StayMadAbby, a social media ode to Black excellence, now prominent African American lawmakers are weighing in.

One of the most renown figures of the Civil Rights movement, Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) released a statement saying, “[Scalia’s] suggestion that African Americans would fare better at schools that are ‘less advanced’ or on a ‘slow-track’ reminds me of the kind of prejudice that led to separate and unequal school systems — a policy the Supreme Court declared unconstitutional decades ago.”

Congressional Black Caucus Chair Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.) believes Scalia’s comments are clear evidence that he can not provide an unbiased decision on the case, which are is for his recusal. His statements are “disgusting, inaccurate, and insulting to African Americans” said Butterfield.

Lewis also agreed that Scalia’s “evident bias is very troubling” and calls into question “his ability to make impartial judgments in this case.”

According to The Huffington Post, in order for a Supreme Court justice to be removed from the bench, he or she must be impeached by the House and convicted by the Senate — a move that has never happened in U.S. history.

Recusal, however, is solely up to the justice. The U.S. Code (Title 28, Section 455) states a judge should recuse him or herself from a case whenever there is conflict of interest, including a biased opinion or the involvement of a family member.

We hope more politicians continue to speak out and hold Scalia accountable for his dishonorable comments.

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Black Leaders Call For Justice Scalia To Recuse Himself From Controversial Affirmative Action Case  was originally published on hellobeautiful.com