Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chairman Marcel L. Groen today echoed the statement from PA Supreme Court Candidate and former Pittsburgh Steeler Judge Dwayne Woodruff on President Trump’s disparagement of NFL players’ peaceful protests. Trump’s words ignited a firestorm of news headlines, comments from current NBA athletes, NFL league, celebrities and many more. On social media, these trending topics led to hashtags, such as #TakeAKneeNFL.
Judge Woodruff said:
“This past Friday, the leader of our country made disparaging comments, which only serve to push our country to become more divided and ultimately penalizes our First Amendment rights under the Constitution. The history of our country records the courageous efforts by people we now consider heroes such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Muhammad Ali and Rosa Parks; they endeavored against great opposition, to gain and preserve rights and freedom for current and future generations. We must continue to be a country united in justice and equality for all.”
Chairman Groen added:
“I completely agree with Judge Woodruff, who, as a former Steeler, pro-bowler, and Super Bowl champion, knows exactly how to speak to this issue. The president’s remarks were totally uncalled for. He is not our tweeter-in-chief, he is supposed to be our commander-in-chief, but that would require a degree of class. I urge each and every person in the commonwealth to vote for Judge Woodruff and the entire Democratic Slate of Eight on Tuesday, November 7, 2017.”
About Dwayne Woodruff (partial CV):
The Honorable Dwayne D. Woodruff is a Judge on the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County – Pittsburgh, presiding primarily in the Family Court Division since 2005. Woodruff earned a degree from the University of Louisville (1979) and a Juris Doctor from Duquesne University School of Law (1988), which he attended, full time at night during his professional football career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Woodruff has the unprecedented, dual career distinction in professional sports; simultaneously practicing law with the Meyer Darragh firm and playing football for the Pittsburgh Steelers for three years from 1988 to 1990. Judge Woodruff currently serves on the board of the National Commission of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and the Allegheny County Jail Oversight Board, co-chairs Pittsburgh SAFE Workgroup (Shared Accountability for Education) and serves on Educational Success & Truancy Prevention Committee (ESTP). Woodruff resides in Pittsburgh with his wife, Joy.