In an interview with National Public Radio in the US, Harris said "this is a serious moment" for people "who believe in the promise of our country [but] understand we have some work yet to do to fully achieve that promise".
During its past term, the supreme court's rightwing supermajority, crafted by Donald Trump, has applied its blueprint for the radical overhaul of vast swathes of American public life to critical new areas, including race and LGBTQ+ rights.
"Fundamental issues are at stake," Harris said, as she called on Americans to vote - including in the 2024 presidential race - for political candidates who would work to shield rights rather than rescind them.
In a repeat of the shockwaves of a year ago, when they overturned the right to an abortion, the six rightwing justices three of whom were appointed by Trump - saved their most seismic decisions until last. Thursday's six to three ruling barring affirmative action at Harvard and the University of North Carolina will affect almost every selective higher education institution in the US, with potential ramifications far beyond.
On Friday, the last day of the court's term, the six conservatives wielded their sword over LGBTQ+ rights. In another six to three ruling, they slashed anti-discrimination protections to allow a devout Christian web designer to turn away same-sex couples.
The case, 303 Creative v Elenis, was instigated by the Alliance Defending Freedom, a rightwing Christian organisation classed as an extremist group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Its legal arguments were based on questionable evidence.
The icing on the conservative cake, also delivered on Friday by a six to three margin, struck down the Biden administration's student debt forgiveness plan, affecting more than 40 million Americans.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 03, 2023-Ausgabe von The Guardian.
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