Lou

Salem News Staff and wire reports

WASHINGTON — The Senate confirmed Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court on Thursday, shattering a historic barrier by securing her place as the first Black female justice and giving President Joe Biden a bipartisan endorsement for his effort to diversify the court.

Jackson, a 51 year-old appeals court judge with nine years experience on the federal bench, was confirmed 53-47, mostly along party lines but with three Republican votes. Presiding was Vice President Kamala Harris, also the first Black woman to reach that high office.

Jackson will take her seat when Justice Stephen Breyer retires this summer, solidifying the liberal wing of the 6-3 conservative-dominated court. She joined Biden at the White House to watch the vote, embracing as it came in.

On the North Shore, and around Massachusetts, Jackson’s confirmation drew praise and congratulations.

“The impact of Judge Jackson’s historic confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court cannot be overstated,” said Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett. “She is a proven, fair-minded jurist with a keen intellect and a demonstrated devotion to the Constitution and the rule of law. Her voice on the court will not only serve our nation well but will also spark the imaginations of countless young women and girls to seek new possibilities.”

U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Salem, Tweeted congratulations to Jackson, adding “It shouldn’t have taken until 2022 for a Black female to ascend to the highest court in the land. But our country will be better for it.”

PEABODY — A hunger strike opposing a new oil-andgas powered “peaker” plant in Peabody has enlisted some legislative muscle as the strike hits its ninth day.

Opponents to the plant and environmental advocates held a protest in front of Peabody District Court Tuesday afternoon, the eighth day of the strike. The event included the support of state Rep. Sally Kearns, D-Danvers, and state Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, who represents several communities in the area.

“I just want to send my best to the six individuals behind us who are putting themselves in harm’s way for a very important, critical issue,” Lovely said, then leaning to a group of protestors wearing black hats emblazoned with “HUNGER STRIKER” in big, white letters. “That’s why we’re here.”

The hunger strike was launched Tuesday, March 15, in opposition of the “Peabody Peaker” plant, an $85 million facility that will only operate during peak demand times to keep the region’s energy needs met. The plant is being sought by the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company and would touch 14 communities if built.

“We’re in a fight for a clean energy future,” said Kearns. “To that end, these folks are

literally putting your health on the line to make the point that, if we don’t transition to clean energy, the changes will come in other ways and will be cataclysmic and irreversible.

“So it isn’t too much to ask those of us who are in state government to use our authority,” Kearns continued. “That’s what we’re encouraging the officials from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs — to use their authority to revisit this plant.”

From Salem News – March 23 edition by Dustin Luka

The Danvers Democrat Town Committee Caucus elected 10 delegates to represent Danvers at the Democrat Convention to be held on June 4 at the DCU Center in Worcester.

Sixteen candidates addressed the committee via Zoom. In order of appearance, the candidates addressing the DDTC were:

• Joan Lovely – candidate for re-election as State Senator from 2nd Essex District
• Sally Kerans – candidate for re-election as State Representative from 13th Essex District
• Paul Tucker – candidate for Essex County District Attorney
• Shannon Liss-Riordan – candidate for Attorney General
• Quentin Palfrey – candidate for Attorney General
• Adams Hines – candidate for Lt. Governor
• Diana DiZoglio – candidate for Auditor
• Sonia Chang-Diaz – candidate for Governor
• Eric Lesser – candidate for Lt. Governor
• Bret Bero – candidate for Lt. Governor
• Maura Healey – – candidate for Governor
• Chris Dempsey – candidate for Auditor
• Tami Gouvela – candidate for Lt. Governor
• Andrea Campbell – candidate for Attorney General
• Kevin Coppinger – candidate for re-election as Essex County Sheriff
• Kim Driscoll – candidate for Lt. Governor

The committee elected 10 delegates to represent Danvers at the State Convention. They are:

• Lou Bernazzani
• Joe Caiazzo
• Nicole Caiazzo
• Beatrice Clark
• Gerald Clark
• Kasey Desmond
• Beth Kontos
• Vince Malgeri
• Carla Meagher
• Tom Meagher

State Committee Members Marilyn Hazel, Julie Curtis and Rani Jacobsen will attend the convention plus Sally Kerans, State Rep for 13th Essex District and Joan Lovely, State Senator from 2nd Essex District

State House News Service The Senate approved two bills Thursday that would set aside on the calendar a pair of ceremonial days related to Black history in Massachusetts.

Under a measure originally filed by Sen. Cindy Friedman (S 2704), July 8 would be observed as Massachusetts Emancipation Day. Sen. Joan Lovely said that day would honor Quock Walker, whose case before the Supreme Judicial Court in 1783 established the legal precedent in this state that slavery was “in direct conflict with the commonwealth’s newly-minted Constitution.”

“And yet, most people are completely unfamiliar with the case and with Quock Walker. That’s why bringing awarenessto Quock Walker and his story is so incredibly important,” Lovely said on the Senate floor. “It shines a bright light on an important part of our history in the commonwealth, a part of our history that has been kept in the shadows or simply ignored for too long.”

Last month, the House gave its initial approval to a bill (H 3117) designating July 8 as Massachusetts Emancipation Day a.k.a. Quock Walker Day. Under S 2703, the third Saturday in July would be observed by a ceremonial proclamation as Negro Election Day in recognition of “the adoption of the first black voting system.”

Lovely said that starting in 1740, enslaved people from Salem and across the region would hold an annual electionto choose their own king or governor. That event eventually became the Black Picnic still held each summer in Salem.

“As we celebrate Black History Month, it is

critical that we acknowledge and celebrate the many ways that African Americans have fought for change and pushed our country and commonwealth forward,” Lovely said.

~ Sam Doran/SHNS

copyright (c) 2022 Salem Evening News, Edition 2/18/2022