November 20, 2018
Dear Senators:
On behalf of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC), we are writing to urge you to oppose the confirmation of Thomas Farr to a lifetime position as a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Although RCRC does not usually take positions on lower court nominees, our commitment to free and fair elections compels us to speak out against Farr. For decades he has actively worked to suppress the votes of people of color in North Carolina.
RCRC is a broad-based, national, interfaith movement that brings the moral force of religion to protect and advance reproductive health, choice, rights and justice through education, prophetic witness, pastoral presence and advocacy.
RCRC believes strongly in the vision of a democracy that is inclusive and is committed to upholding the dignity and worth of every person. RCRC stands by values shared by many faiths — that we are all equal in the eyes of God and divinely endowed with free will.
Voter suppression is an abuse of power which flagrantly violates our religious and democratic values. Voter suppression manipulates our democratic political system. It chips away at our civil and human rights. Many sacred texts call on us to stand against such abuses.
And yet credible evidence shows Farr participated in a scheme to intimidate Black voters on behalf of the Jesse Helms campaign. His voter suppression work continued over the years, defending a racial gerrymandering scheme that the Supreme Court later ruled unconstitutional. In addition, he defended a discriminatory voter ID law that was thrown out by the Fourth Circuit Court as, “target(ing) African American voters with almost surgical precision.”
For these reasons, we must oppose the confirmation of Thomas Farr. We urge you to protect the integrity of our election process by voting “no” on this nomination.
Thank you,
Delia Allen-O’Brien Rev. Dr. Cari Jackson Lisa Weiner-Mahfuz
Executive Directors
Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice