News

Black History Documentary Highlights ‘Prejudice and Progress’

By Anne Yeager | February 25, 2021

The Ohio Supreme Court releases the first of a series of videos in observation of Black History Month.

In observance of Black History Month, the Ohio Supreme Court is launching the first video of a documentary series exploring racial injustice and the legal journeys of African Americans in our state.

The premiere video features the work of pioneering state Rep. Benjamin Arnett and his battle against the “Black Laws,” a Northern version of the South’s Jim Crow statutes that denied free Black Americans their full rights in society.

As the series, “Prejudice and Progress: A History of Racial Justice in Ohio,” develops, materials will be created by the Supreme Court’s Civic Education Section to adapt the short documentaries for classroom instruction.

The first video – nine minutes long – is entitled “Knock the Monster in the Head: Benjamin Arnett versus The Ohio Black Laws.” The title is taken from Arnett’s reference to the discriminatory laws in an impassioned speech to the Ohio General Assembly in 1886.

The series will take a look at people and issues from the past, some chapters well-known and others lesser-known.

“Our aim is to ensure that the next chapters unfold intelligently and fairly, with a keen knowledge – and acknowledgement – of our past,” Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor said of the documentary series.

“The story of African American rights and equality in Ohio is a story without a closing chapter,” said Justice Melody Stewart, who appears with Chief Justice O’Connor to unveil the series.  

“We still have a lot of work to do,” Justice Stewart said. “This series of short documentaries is intended to educate all citizens of our state about the battles for racial justice that have marked our shared history.”

The Arnett installment is narrated by retired Judge Ronald Adrine, who served on the bench of the Cleveland Municipal Court for 36 years and chaired the Ohio Commission on Racial Fairness, among many other law-related endeavors. In 2018, he became the first jurist-in-residence at his alma mater, the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.

The voice of Arnett is portrayed by Columbus-based actor and artist Rory Rennick.

Judicial Fundraising Period Closes March 2, 2021 - How you can participate

Justice Jennifer Brunner, former judge of the Tenth District Court of Appeals, was elected to a full term as justice of the Ohio Supreme Court on November 3, 2020.  She took office January 2, 2021 and is now serving as Ohio's 162nd justice of the state's highest court.  In her campaign she raised in excess of $1 million dollars during a pandemic and won her election against an incumbent justice by more than 10 points, outperforming former President Trump by 8 points.  She is thrilled to be serving Ohioans in this new judicial capacity.  

You can help her celebrate her victory by attending a virtual event and help her campaign committee close out the judicial fund raising period ending March 2, 2021.  Judicial candidates may no longer accept contributions to their campaign committees after 4 months following the general election.  They cannot raise funds until they run again for election.

There are two great opportunities to participate in virtual events and help us celebrate Justice Brunner's special victory on November 3, 2020.

Virtual Event with Justice Brunner

Thursday, February 18, 2021

5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Interested?  Contribute here.

Virtual Jazz Concert with Justice Brunner

featuring the Laura Camara Quartet

Thursday, February 25, 2021

5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Interested?  Contribute here.

Please Join us for Justice Brunner's Investiture Ceremony

Please join us for Justice Jennifer Brunner's Virtual Investiture Ceremony

Sunday, January 3, 2021, 4:00 p.m.

Register at:  https://www.mobilize.us/ohdems/event/367178/

It's official - we broke gerrymandering in Ohio . . .

THANK YOU.

It's official.  Yesterday, the Ohio Secretary of State certified Ohio's election results.  Our  collective work in this race for the Ohio Supreme Court created a bright spot for Ohio.  We defeated an incumbent justice.  And in doing so we broke Ohio's gerrymandered Congressional districts.  Take a look:

Take a Look at Our TV Ad and Vote!

Our television ad is up and running throughout Ohio.  Take a look, and please vote!  Speak with your vote--it's your loudest voice.  

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3rd. Polling places in Ohio are open from 6:30 a.m. through 7:30 p.m.  As long as you are in line by 7:30 p.m., you can vote. 

Information about voting is available on my campaign website.  Early voting is underway in Ohio! You can vote early in person at your Board of Elections. If you’ve already received an absentee mail-in ballot, return it in person to your local board of elections (a relative can return it for you, too, and every board has a drop box) or mail it with a postmark (ask the post office to hand stamp it) no later than Monday, November 2nd. 

You can get email updates here, contribute here, or ActBlue link is here.