Georgia House passes proposal to place statue of Justice Thomas at the state capitol, Democratic lawmaker says that black people consider Thomas 'a hypocrite and a traitor'

 The Georgia State Senate voted on Monday in favor of placing a statue of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas at the State Capitol, a move opposed by Democratic lawmakers.

The proposal, which passed 32 to 21 along party lines, still needs to pass through the Georgia House before it can head to the governor, according to Fox 5 Atlanta.

The statue would be paid for via private donations, according to the Associated Press.

"I think I have a pretty intimate knowledge ... on how we, black people, as a collective feel about Justice Thomas," Democratic state Sen. Nikki Merritt said ahead of the vote, though she prefaced the remark by saying that she does not claim to speak for all black Americans. "We think he's a hypocrite and a traitor."

Merritt said that "it seems like white America" desires "to promote Justice Thomas," but she suggested that Thomas undermines the struggles of black people.

Thomas, who was born in the Peach State, was nominated by President George H. W. Bush and has served on the high court for more than three decades.

Justice Stephen Breyer plans to retire later this year, giving President Joe Biden his first opportunity to nominate someone to serve on the nation's high court — the president has said that he plans to abide by a campaign commitment to nominate a black woman.

Legislative Day 12 - 2022 Session - 2/07/2022