Carol Rose, executive director of the ACLU of Massachusetts, today released the following statement in response to the passing of Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Ralph Gants:
“The ACLU expresses our deep condolences to the family of Chief Justice Ralph Gants and to his peers, colleagues, friends, and clerks. Justice Gants was a giant within the legal community, and a courageous leader on civil rights and civil liberties. He was a champion of access to justice for all communities in Massachusetts, a fierce believer in the need to address racial disparities in the criminal legal system, and a compassionate listener to every person who came before the court. His legacy is a testament to his wisdom, his kindness, and his commitment to equal justice under the law.”