Former U.S. Rep. Anthony Brown made history Tuesday when he was sworn in as Maryland’s 47th attorney general. He is the first Black man to hold the post.
A couple hundred people crowded a swearing-in ceremony at the House of Delegates chamber in Annapolis. The hour-long program not only highlighted Brown’s qualifications, but also the symbolism his election represents.
“That’s significant,” said U.S. Attorney of Maryland Erek Barron (D), who’s also a former state delegate. “It tells all of us who are Marylanders, and beyond, that we are at the very least running towards that goal of equality, equity, and justice.”
In remarks during the ceremony, Brown, a former lieutenant governor, outlined what he called an “ambitious agenda” focusing on three priorities: civil rights enforcement, public safety and police reform.
Although Maryland represents the fourth most diverse state in the country where dozens of languages are spoken, Brown said there remains racial discrimination in housing and in the workplace.
