Supreme Court Fails to Uphold Navajo Nation’s Water Rights – Arizona v. Navajo Nation
On June 22, 2023, the Supreme Court declined to enforce the United States’ responsibility for the water rights it holds in trust for the Navajo Nation in the Colorado River. Although the Court acknowledged that tribal nations have water rights, it ruled that there was no requirement to secure or identify the necessary water resources for the reservation, ultimately excluding Navajo citizens from receiving a share of water that is inherently theirs.
Hunger Free Colorado is deeply dismayed by this ruling and stands in solidarity with our indigenous siblings in the fight for sovereignty. Indigenous communities are the true stewards and protectors of the land on which we reside, and we bear a moral obligation to speak out against the immeasurable injustices they continue to face. We urge our partners, advocates, policy makers, and community members to unite in solidarity with indigenous communities in response to this ruling and to maintain unwavering commitment to support indigenous rights.
Supreme Court’s Reversal of Affirmative Action – Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College
On June 29th, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority overturned affirmative action in college admissions, a policy aimed at promoting equal opportunities for historically marginalized and underrepresented groups in higher education.
Hunger Free Colorado strongly opposes this recent reversal of affirmative action, recognizing the significant threat it poses to the progress made in addressing systemic racial inequalities and promoting diversity, not just in higher education, but across all systems rooted in white supremacy, including our food systems.
The principles at the core of affirmative action closely align with the values necessary for achieving food sovereignty and justice. Historically marginalized communities that are disproportionately affected by food insecurity due to racist systems hold immense power in reshaping existing foundations into equitable systems for all, especially when given equal opportunities to thrive in higher education. It is crucial that their transformative potential remain unimpeded by the rigid barriers imposed by a ruling class entrenched in white supremacy.
Supreme Court’s Ruling Impacting LGBT Protections – 303 Creative LLC et al. v. Elenis et al.
On June 30th, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority ruled that the constitutional right to free speech allows certain businesses to deny services for same-sex couples. This ruling emerged from a case in Colorado, where a web designer challenged the state’s anti-discrimination law which prohibits public businesses from refusing goods or services based on race, gender, sexual orientation, and religion. The plaintiff argued that the case targeted messages, not people, with the intention of enabling business owners to express themselves creatively by refusing certain messages.
However, critics have reasoned that the distinction between message and status is not clear-cut, and dissenting liberal justices have warned of the ruling’s ripple effects, calling the decision a “license to discriminate.” Hunger Free Colorado expresses deep dismay over the harm this ruling brings to the LGBT community and aligns with and supports the dissenting justices. We share their concern that the ruling’s broad interpretation could exclude other groups (such as interracial couples or disabled people, among others) from many crucial services, including food services.
Hunger Free Colorado calls on policymakers, advocates, and community members to unite in denouncing discrimination and upholding the values of equity and inclusion. We believe that no one should be denied services based on their race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion.
Supreme Court Blocks Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Plan – Biden, President of the United States, et al. v. Nebraska et al.
On June 30th, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority blocked Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan, which had the potential to benefit around 43 million individuals by forgiving up to $10,000 in federal student debt for Americans making under $125,000/year. Hunger Free Colorado expresses disappointment over this ruling, seeing it as a missed opportunity to address the interrelationship between student loan debt and food security.
Student loan debt can have a significant impact on an individual’s purchasing power, sometimes forcing them to make difficult choices regarding how they allocate limited funds which can result in compromises between necessities like medications and food. Alleviating the burden of student loan debt has the potential to provide individuals with more disposable income, enabling them to prioritize and afford healthier food options.
Biden has since proposed new measures to address student debt relief under the Higher Education Act. We urge the Biden Administration to address the intricate relationship between debt and food security, along with other financial strains, and pursue an alternative path to student loan forgiveness that could provide much-needed relief in these areas.