Criminal justice activists rallied Thursday outside the state Court of Appeals building in Albany.

“Gov. Hochul, can you hear us,” yelled one advocate.

The group is calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to nominate a progressive chief judge.

“We need a court of appeals that will work with the people of New York to make progress,” said Mike Kink, an activist with Strong For All. “Not a court of appeals that will pull us back.”

Janet DiFiore, the state’s former top judge, resigned in August, reportedly amid an ethical investigation. The group accuses the Cuomo-appointee of making what they call "regressive decisions," like favoring prosecution and corporate power, contributing to mass incarceration and limiting people’s rights.

“Presently, our court systems are stacked against poor, working class people and their interests,” said Rev. Joe Paparone, an activist with the Labor-Religion Coalition of New York State.

In the Empire State, the chief judge oversees the entire state court system and presides over the Court of Appeals. Right now, a Commission on Judicial Nomination is compiling a list of seven nominees for Hochul to consider towards the end of the month.

In a Capital Tonight interview last month, the governor said there would be no "litmus test" involved in her selection. 

“I’m looking for a thoughtful jurist; someone who has independence,” Hochul said. “If we think back to the legacy of this court in the past, this is a place people used to be selecting Supreme Court Justices from. I want to get back to that preeminence.”

Nominating a new chief judge is an opportunity advocates say the governor cannot take lightly.

“This decision can be a major step towards giving New Yorkers, especially poor, working class New Yorkers, an honest chance of justice,” Paparone said.