I guess I will not go into the business of predicting Supreme Court decisions. In March I visited the Court to hear Bryan Stevenson of Equal Justice Initiative argue two cases, both asserting that mandatory life sentences for children were unconstitutional. (EJI is an iCare partner.) After listening to the tough questions from justices on both the right and the left, I felt that EJI faced an uphill battle and might not prevail, despite my belief in the validity and import of their assertions. Today, I was delighted to learn, the Court ruled that mandatory life sentences are indeed unconstitutional.
Our broad theme for iCare is children. We partner with non-profits who address poverty and injustice, organizations who represent the interests of children and give them opportunity and hope. EJI, a small organization, accomplishes this and more in fundamental, leveraged, lasting ways. They work for the interests of particular children, fighting tirelessly to represent them, and they work more broadly for equal justice for all children. Today’s decision is an important step towards providing that equal justice. Although much work remains, I am glad that one small organization can and does have such an important influence on our country.
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