Statement From Living for United Change in Arizona (Lucha) on Scotus Decision to Uphold the Indian Child Welfare Act
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Supreme Court of the United States handed down its decision in Haaland v. Brackeen and upheld the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act, protecting indigenous children from being separated from their families.
Faith Ramon, an enrolled member of the Tohono O’odham Nation and Tucson Environmental Justice Campaign Manager for Living United for Change in Arizona (LUCHA) — a member of the United Democracy coalition — released the following statement in response to the ruling:
“Today, the Supreme Court reaffirmed that Native American children should remain with their Native American families. The Indian Child Welfare Act had put an end to years of atrocities that saw children being removed from their homes and placed with non-Native families with no ties to their tribe. The law remains intact in a hard-fought victory led by Indigenous communities.
“We should have never had to hold our breath and fear for our freedoms in the first place — as tribes did for Brackeen, and too many still do as our rights remain in the balance with more decisions on the docket. Two justices today made clear they were ready to harm Indigenous communities and a third opened the door to do so in the future, making it clear the Court’s extreme justices still need to be held accountable. It’s high time that Congress does its job and rein in the Court’s unchecked powers.”
“That’s why we are proud to join United For Democracy, a new campaign to hold the Supreme Court accountable. Despite this sound ruling, we won’t be deterred from fighting for a Court that makes just and equitable decisions.”
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About LUCHA:
Since 2010, LUCHA’s membership has built community power across the country by knocking on doors, making phone calls, lobbying our local and national elected officials, endorsing candidates that align with the values of everyday Arizonans and that put our needs first. We raised the minimum wage and provided earned sick time for millions of Arizonans, removed a Sheriff who was racially profiling people of color, and was hugely impactful in electing a Democratic Senate in Arizona.
About United for Democracy:
United for Democracy is a new national campaign launching to shine a light on the devastating impact this Supreme Court is having on our families, our communities, our freedoms, and our democracy. We are a diverse and growing coalition representing millions of Americans from all walks of life – labor organizers, grassroots organizations, and advocates for reproductive rights, the environment, and more.