(WISCONSIN)- Today, Voces de la Frontera Action (VDLFA), Wisconsin’s leading Latinx and immigrant rights grassroots organization, announced the dual endorsement of Judge Everett Mitchell and Judge Janet Protasiewicz for the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Both Politico and the New York Times have called the 2023 Wisconsin Supreme Court Race one of the nation’s most important elections. Its result will have tremendous implications for the future of a state that has been under constant assault by conservative jurists and politicians. If elected, Judges Mitchell or Protasiewicz would be able to challenge an extremist right-wing agenda responsible for one of the “most aggressive partisan gerrymanders” in the country. In addition to restoring fair maps, the judges can make decisions on the future of states immigrant rights struggles. This includes restoring state driver licenses/state IDs and tuition equity, as well as protecting abortion rights, voting rights, and other key measures that are at stake.
The VDLFA board of directors determined that although Judge Mitchell and Judge Protasiewicz have different strengths, both would serve as excellent state supreme court judges.
VDLFA leaders were deeply impressed by Judge Mitchell’s strong commitment to racial justice and community organizing as well as his professional accomplishments as the presiding judge of the Dane County juvenile division. Throughout his career, Judge Mitchell has worked to address disparities in the lives of Wisconsin’s communities of color. He has deep experience in cases involving family reunification, an issue that also impacts Latinx and immigrant communities torn apart by over policing and racial profiling. VDLFA believes he possesses the ability to implement a more just and equitable criminal justice system. Additionally he is a strong advocate for a woman’s right to choose in consultation with their medical provider. He also defends restoring Wisconsin’s fair maps, and has said that the current gerrymandered process “robs people of their voice.”
VDLFA leaders were also impressed by Judge Protasiewicz, who describes herself as a “community leader, a veteran prosecutor, and a lifelong advocate for victims of crime.” She would be a staunch defender of basic constitutional rights, such as the right of women to control their own reproductive health decisions. She also recognizes the influence of systemic racism and is committed to using her position to fight for the advancement of Latinx communities, communities of color, the LGBTQ+ community, and other marginalized groups within the judicial system.
Christine Neumann-Ortiz, Executive Director of Voces de la Frontera Action, said:
“Members of Voces de la Frontera Action and Wisconsin’s immigrant communities are demanding change, frustrated with political corruption and gridlock. The Wisconsin Supreme Court Race is a historic opportunity to dismantle two decades of gerrymandering that maintains one party control in the state legislature despite the will of the voters. This is an issue that cuts across whatever political party identification people hold. It is undemocratic and denies voters their right to choose their elected officials and to hold them accountable. Gerrymandering has contributed to extreme polarization in political campaigns and the rise of a far right movement that threatens our democracy and promotes hatred and violence.
A majority of people-across party lines support immigrant rights, abortion rights, and other issues that impact working class families in our state. Judge Mitchell or Judge Protasiewicz would serve voters and center the interests of working-class families, including immigrant essential workers and their families, who are the backbone of Wisconsin’s economy. Voces de la Frontera Action is committed to engaging our members and their families through our statewide relational network known as “Voceros por el Voto” that is now over 30,000+ voters strong in Wisconsin. On February 21 and April 4th we commit to turn out voters to ensure that justice is restored to Wisconsin’s State Supreme Court and the needs of our communities are met.”
