Speak Up for Justice Forum, “Global Threats to the Justice System: A Warning to America

WHAT: Speak Up for Justice Forum, “Global Threats to the Justice System: A Warning to America.” A powerful, nonpartisan international forum where judges who’ve lived through authoritarian crackdowns will share urgent warnings about what happens when courts are attacked—and how it signals a broader collapse of democracy. Featuring rare remarks by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy (Ret.) and global judicial leaders. WHEN: Thursday, June 26, 2025 9:00 a.m. PT / 12:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. SAST Register to watch live: https://speakupforjustice.law/FEATURED SPEAKERS: • Justice Anthony M. Kennedy (Ret.) – Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice offering rare public remarks on the erosion of judicial independence in the United States. • Former Judge Eleazar Javier Saldivia (Venezuela) – One of the few judges to hold Venezuelan police accountable under Hugo Chávez, Saldivia faced harassment by pro-government militias, was stripped of his judicial protections, and forced into exile. He now warns that Venezuela’s democratic collapse began not with tanks or protests—but with the slow dismantling of judicial independence. • Judge Dorota Zabludowska (Poland) – Featured in the acclaimed documentary A Thousand Robes, Zabludowska became a symbol of resistance as Poland’s ruling party launched a sweeping purge of the judiciary. She endured surveillance, smear campaigns, and political pressure for defending the rule of law. She sees chilling parallels in today’s global trends, including in the U.S. • Justice Richard Goldstone (South Africa) – Former Chief Prosecutor of the UN Tribunals for Rwanda and Yugoslavia, leader of South Africa’s Goldstone Commission, and architect of the country’s post-apartheid Constitutional Court. A global authority on accountability and rebuilding trust in justice systems. • Karen C. Burgess (United States): A past President of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and a nationally recognized trial attorney. Burgess is a leading voice for legal ethics, judicial independence, and civic responsibility in the U.S. justice system. Panel Discussion Also Includes: • Judge Esther Salas (U.S.) – U.S. District Judge and advocate for judicial safety after her son was killed in a targeted attack. • Judge Karoline Mehalchick (U.S.) – Chief Magistrate Judge, Middle District of Pennsylvania, known for promoting fairness and independence. • Judge Beth Bloom (U.S.) – U.S. District Judge noted for rulings on civil rights and constitutional protections. • Attorney Paul Kiesel – Forum host, legal analyst, and founder of Speak Up for Justice. WHY IT MATTERS: Attacks on the judiciary have become the starting point for broader authoritarian takeovers in countries around the world. This forum brings together judges with firsthand experience of that erosion and nearly 10,000 people have already registered to hear their call for urgent vigilance. — [h/t ]Rachel Cohen Harvard Law School, J.D. 2022 The Ohio State University, B.A. 2014]