FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 17, 2018
The Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania Condemns the Racist and Sexist Attempted Intimidation of the Hon. Karen Y. Simmons
The Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania (HBAPA) condemns the acts of those responsible for delivering an anonymous note with sexist and racist comments to Judge Karen Y. Simmons last week related to her campaign for President of the Philadelphia Municipal Court. The HBAPA will not tolerate racist and sexist acts aimed at intimidating members of the judiciary and affecting their internal elections. These actions are repulsive to fundamental American values such as equal justice, judicial independence, and diversity and inclusion in the judiciary.
The HBAPA strongly supports the investigation of this matter launched by the Philadelphia Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office. Anyone responsible for issuing these cowardly threats should be brought to justice and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
The HBAPA is proud to stand in unity with Judge Simmons, a longstanding, esteemed member of the judiciary, former Chair of the Clifford Scott Green Chapter of the National Bar Association Judicial Council, and Advisory Board Member of the Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia, Inc.
Contact:
Jacqueline C. Romero
President, HBAPA