Background:

Wayne County Circuit Judge Deborah Thomas is under attack for challenging the violation of constitutional rights in Wayne County Circuit Court. In 2004 Judge Thomas challenged the lack of representation of African Americans on juries when a jury panel appearing in front of her contained only one African American out of 30 individuals.

In response, Chief Judge Mary Beth Kelly ordered that all challenges to jury composition be removed from Judge Thomas and heard by herself. Recently, because of Judge Thomas’ insistence that the constitutional rights of all people, including the poor, be assured in her courtroom, Judge Thomas has come under further attack and is facing charges in front of the (all white) Judicial Tenure Commission.

The attack on Judge Thomas is part of the overall denial of justice for people of color and all poor and working people in Michigan that has been ushered in by the ultra-conservative Federalist Society majority on the Michigan Supreme Court. In every area, from criminal courts to juvenile and family courts, to civil courts, justice is systematically being denied.

Come to a demonstration to defend Judge Deborah Thomas and to fight to restore all of our rights in Michigan.

Actions:

Support Judge Deborah Thomas, protect the right to Habeas Corpus and a jury of one’s peers, protest racism in the Michigan court system. Monday, Sept. 10 at 11 AM demonstrate outside the (all white) Judicial Tenure Commission, State of Michigan Building (Old GM Building) at 3034 W. Grand Blvd. (at Second).

Then, noon to 2 PM, rally inside the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center (City County Bldg – Woodward and E. Jefferson) in the 13th floor Auditorium. Check out www.michigancitizen.com for the story of the attacks on Judge Thomas and erosion of our rights from the Michigan Supreme Court down to Wayne County courts.

Sponsored by: Coalition to Restore Justice in Michigan

For more information call: 313-393-6005

Partial List of Supporters: National Conference of Black Lawyers; National Political Congress of Black Women; Women Empowered; People of Diversity United for Equality; Greater Quinn A.M.E. Church; Michigan State Black Alumni; Councilwoman JoAnn Watson; National Action Network/Detroit; Asso. Of Black Organizations, Inc.; Coalition of Black Trade Unionists; David Sole, Pres. UAW Local 2334; Fight for Your Rights Investigations/N.L.G.; Project CAIN; Law Offices of Vanessa G. Fluker, Esq., PLLC; Michigan Emergency Comm. Against War & Injustice; National Lawyers’ Guild; Black Attorneys United for Justice; Law Offices of Philip J. Thomas; AFSCME Council 25; Wayne County Criminal Defense Bar Asso.; Law Offices of Diallo, Cromer, Toussant, Posey & Polk; Michigan Democratic Party Black Caucus.