Letter on Judge Tanquilli to Gov. Wolf, Mayor Peduto, Bar Assoc, & Heads of Political Parties

“The disclosure of the extremely racially-biased comments attributed to Judge Mark Tranquilli as a sitting judge of the Common Pleas Court of Allegheny County has brought a new level of focus and concern on the issues of race and justice in our courts throughout Allegheny County and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We can’t help but wonder how pervasive Judge Tranquilli’s attitudes and thinking may have affected and impacted any, or all, of the cases involving African Americans over which he presided. This possibility is beyond troubling. The integrity of the courts is something that we all should cherish and protect as citizens of Allegheny County, and as citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is in this spirit that we call upon all parties to seriously consider what must be done to review the cases over which Judge Tranquilli presided which included African 2 “It’s a LIFETIME COMMITMENT... African Americans VOTE in EACH and EVERY election!!” Celebrating the 55th Anniversary of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Email:cav.pgh@gmail.com Website: www.b-pep.net American defendants. We also advocate that Judge Tranquilli be removed from his recently assigned administrative duties. The allegations attributed to Judge Tranquilli causes many in the community to wonder what negative actions he may take in his current administrative role which may affect African Americans. We feel that he should have no role in the justice system of Allegheny County, or anywhere else….”