01/24/2026
We watched The Honorable Kara Gerry get sworn in yesterday, in the same courthouse that held so much of Nikki’s trauma, and so much of our despair.
It was hard to be in that building. And it was also deeply meaningful to be there, to witness it.
It’s official: Judge McLoughlin is off the bench. He’s gone. And in his place is someone who, after taking her oath of office, told the packed courtroom: “I am committed to approaching this role with humility, open-mindedness, and a steadfast commitment to the rule of law.” Someone who believes, as she said, “good judging starts with good listening.”
If we must have a carceral system, then we need more people like Kara wearing the black robes. Judges who listen and care. Judges who recognize the real lives that are impacted in these cases, and lead with humanity.
Thank you to every single person who helped make this happen. Every dollar you donated, every post you shared, every text and email and phone call. This was a collective, wide-reaching, interconnected grassroots effort…and our participation and efforts mattered.
Yesterday we walked out of the courthouse, knowing that it’s better than when we found it. That’s something we can all feel good about.
💜
