Washington, DC — The following is a statement from Muslim Advocates Executive Director Farhana Khera on the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg:

“Ruth Bader Ginsburg was an icon, a trailblazer and a tireless defender of our nation’s promise of freedom, justice and equality for all—truly all. So much of what I do as a civil rights advocate, an attorney, a woman, a Muslim and as an American is possible because of what she accomplished. Justice Ginsburg’s loss is immeasurable but we don’t have time to lose hope. 

Tonight and every day going forward, we must channel her spirit and honor her legacy by fighting on. Right now, that means we must defend our democracy and ensure that the Supreme Court belongs to the people. There should be no confirmation vote on any new justice until after the inauguration of the next president in January 2021. The next president, and no one else, should be the one to nominate Justice Ginsburg’s replacement.

President Trump’s heinous Muslim Ban, his all-out assault on immigrants and communities of color and his naked disrespect for the rule of law have already harmed us in so many ways. A third Trump justice, jammed through the Senate right before an election in which millions of Americans have already started voting, would be a body blow to the legacy of civil rights and social justice that Justice Ginsburg fought so hard to protect and strengthen and would gravely damage what remains of our democracy.”

Muslim Advocates is a national civil rights organization working in the courts, in the halls of power and in communities to halt bigotry in its tracks. We ensure that American Muslims have a seat at the table with expert representation so that all Americans may live free from hate and discrimination. 

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