Youngkin, Hogan ask Justice Dept. to halt protests at justices' homes

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Source: Washington Post

VIRGINIA POLITICS

Youngkin, Hogan ask Justice Dept. to halt protests at justices' homes

By Laura Vozzella, Erin Cox and Dan Morse
Today at 12:25 a.m. EDT Updated today at 2:25 a.m. EDT

RICHMOND -- The Republican governors of Virginia and Maryland, where the homes of Supreme Court justices have become the targets of protests, are demanding that At

{snip}torney General Merrick Garland enforce a federal law that forbids demonstrations intended to sway judges on pending cases.

Demonstrators have gathered over the past week at the homes of several conservative justices, spurred by the leak of a draft opinion suggesting that the high court is preparing to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision guaranteeing access to abortion nationwide.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan wrote to Garland (D) on Wednesday, just days after some conservatives faulted Youngkin for not having protesters outside the Alexandria, Va., home of Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. arrested under a state statute prohibiting demonstrations at private residences. ... Protesters insist they are legally exercising their First Amendment rights and questioned the notion that they were trying to illegally influence the justices.

Link to tweet

{snip}

The two governors -- both potential 2024 Republican presidential contenders -- said the protests were something for President Biden's Justice Department to address, citing a federal statute outlawing demonstrations intended to influence a judge's pending decision. ... "It is in your hands to ensure that applicable federal law is enforced to preserve the integrity of our American judicial system and the safety of our citizens," they wrote.

{snip}

Ellie Silverman, Justin Jouvenal, Matt Zapotosky and Antonio Olivo contributed to this report.

By Laura Vozzella
Laura Vozzella covers Virginia politics for The Washington Post. Before joining The Post, she was a political columnist and food writer at the Baltimore Sun, and she has also worked for the Associated Press, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the Hartford Courant. Twitter https://twitter.com/LVozzella

By Erin Cox
Erin Cox is a politics reporter covering Maryland. She joined The Washington Post in 2018 and has written about Maryland since 2007. Twitter https://twitter.com/ErinatThePost

By Dan Morse
Dan Morse covers courts and crime in Montgomery County. He arrived at the paper in 2005, after reporting stops at the Wall Street Journal, Baltimore Sun and Montgomery (Ala.) Advertiser, where he was a Pulitzer Prize finalist. He is the author of "The Yoga Store Murder." Twitter https://twitter.com/morsedan

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/05/12/protests-youngkin-hogan-justices-abortion/

---

I hope the protestors are trying to influence the justices. Otherwise, what's the point of the protests? The fine print is that they are legally trying to influence the justices.

Hat tip, Joe.My.God.

GOP Govs To DOJ: Stop The Protests At Justices' Homes
May 12, 2022

https://www.joemygod.com/2022/05/gop-govs-to-doj-stop-the-protests-at-justices-homes/

-- -- -- -- -- --

The federal statute is incredibly clear, if you are parading or picketing in order to try to influence a judge then it's punishable with jail time.

Link to tweet

-- -- -- -- -- --

Why don't you charge them under Virginia state law? If no one will enforce the federal law, you don't need federal permission to enforce state law.

Link to tweet

[mountain grammy]

1. They're itching to shoot protestors..

just wait.

[OldBaldy1701E]

19. Oh yeah. (n/t)

[gab13by13]

2. If it's a state statute why should DOJ enforce it?

[WarGamer]

35. Different statutes.

The Fed and State both have applicable laws.

[2naSalit]

3. Nope.

We have a right, especially since they are attempting to rescind ours.


Fuck 'em. If they do move in that direction, it will only bring out more protesters.

[underpants]

11. "influence" is pretty grey

Last edited Thu May 12, 2022, 10:45 AM - Edit history (1)

But I’m not a lawyer…and neither is Youngkin.

I caught Atty Gen Miyares on Fox this morning. I now realize why he wasn’t in his campaign ads - he’s a squinty smirking little turd. Reminds me of Stephen Miller.
I actually taped Lt Governor Sears appearance on Fox n Friends. I haven’t heard much from her. I’m curious if they’ve managed to teach her not to appear to be the crazy loon that she is.

[2naSalit]

13. It's early...

There will come a moment when they can't restrain themselves. After that, they won't be able to dial it back. They are power drunk and salivating at the prospect of total control, it's in sight for them and they intend to advance full scream ahead.

[underpants]

21. full scream ahead.

[2naSalit]

22. ...

One of my originals, came up with it so many years ago I don't recall when it came up first. It's just so fitting in so many conversations.

[electric_blue68]

45. Oh my goodness You deserve Kudos for that!

[2naSalit]

47. Thanks...

I had a lot of practice coming up with witty little saying when I was out on the road.

[inthewind21]

31. VA AG

Already said no. Cited violation of citizens 4th and 1st amendment rights and assures the cowards that the VA police were capable of doing their jobs. They are now trying to get the feds in on it. And, they will decline as well.

[2naSalit]

32. Thanks.

I did see that a short while ago.

I've been off reading articles of the day, I was hoping it would turn out as it has so far.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

37. That wasn't the Attorney General of Virginia.

The Attorney General of Virginia is Jason Miyares, who is one of Glenn Youngkin's bootlickers. (Can you tell that I'm not on a work computer now?)

The person who cited violations of the First and Fourth Amendments was Jeffrey C. McKay, the Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

COUNTYWIDE, NEWS

Fairfax County board chair rejects Youngkin’s advice for Supreme Court justice protests

Angela Woolsey Today at 10:30am

(Updated at 3:45 p.m.) Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has some thoughts on how Fairfax County should handle abortion-related protests outside Supreme Court justices’ homes.

{snip}

Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay resoundly rejected Youngkin’s proposal, arguing that it would amount to “a checkpoint that federal courts have held violates the Fourth Amendment.” ... He said it would also raise concerns related to the First Amendment’s protections for freedom of speech and assembly, stating that the county’s “well-trained, sophisticated” police department “stands ready as always to take necessary action, if needed, to protect public safety.” ... “My focus is on public safety and protecting constitutional rights of our citizens,” McKay said in a tweet sharing his letter to Youngkin. “I know the well-trained FCPD professionals can ensure both.”

Link to tweet

The exchange came two days after abortion-rights advocates organized by the group ShutDown DC marched to Alito’s house in Fort Hunt in protest of his leaked draft opinion indicating that the Supreme Court intends to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark case that has been used to protect access to abortion for nearly 50 years.

The demonstration on Monday (May 9) involved approximately 100 participants. The FCPD stated afterwards that it was peaceful, and the crowd “dispersed on their own” with no arrests necessary. ... According to McKay’s letter, anti-abortion activists have also gathered outside Alito’s house in recent days and similarly “self-dispersed” without incident. ... Just last night, Barrett got a visit at her home in Pimmit Hills from abortion-rights protestors dressed in costumes from “The Handmaid’s Tale,” Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel that is now a Hulu TV show, according to multiple news reports.

{snip}

[jimfields33]

4. Didn't congress just pass a bill for extra security?

They should’ve able to handle crowds.

[WarGamer]

36. that was for families.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

5. What if people started sending copies of The Pelican Brief to them?

[KS Toronado]

6. Force us off the sidewalks

and we'll drive around the block with signs on our cars.

[yaesu]

7. enforce a federal law that forbids demonstrations intended to sway judges on pending cases.

well, not before you enforce federal laws prohibiting repukes from overthrowing our democracy.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

8. "If there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no official, ..."

If there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion or force citizens to confess by word or act their faith therein.

West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette

[atreides1]

9. Look at that

The Lt Governor of Virginia does exist...she hasn't been seen or heard since the inauguration!

And that statute covers any person, not just judges or politicians...and it’s up to local police, not state troopers, to enforce that law.

[gab13by13]

17. Certainly not DOJ.

[Ferrets are Cool]

10. These fuckers will not be satisfied until we live in a fascist nation.

[underpants]

12. Now I know why Miyares stayed out of his campaign ads

I caught Atty Gen Miyares on Fox this morning. I now realize why he wasn’t in his campaign ads - he’s a squinty smirking little turd. Reminds me of Stephen Miller.
I actually taped Lt Governor Sears appearance on Fox n Friends. I haven’t heard much from her. I’m curious if they’ve managed to teach not to appear to be crazy loon that she is.

[Demsrule86]

14. No we have the right to peacefully assemble. And if people can show up at some lowly

election clerk office and drive her family from their home, we can sure as fuck protest outside of Scotus so-called Justices Houses. The end of Roe means death for millions of women in the end... fuck their feelings.

[2naSalit]

23. +1

[electric_blue68]

46. +10

[NCjack]

15. The delicate snowflakes. They don't run in contested elections

by the people. A few demonstrators make them cry for help from the police.

[Captain Zero]

43. Protest outside their churches

if they bring their religious beliefs to the court, and our laws, then take the protests to their churches.

[turbinetree]

16. Guess who pays for the public use of streets and sidewalks.....protesters....

Alito's property line ends at the public street and sidewalk....along with the other 6 federalist society members on this bench and other benches, reads like Winsome is a left over from the Nixon years because after Nam these laws were being put in place by republicans to start attacking the Constitution and the first amendment, just like when a republican governor ordered national guard troops at Kent State in Ohio and what happened at another college, Jackson State in Mississippi and now the country has these two republican twits....see a pattern....

[aggiesal]

18. Then there is this 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼

When discussing the propriety of protesting outside of supreme court justices' homes, it's important to remember that in the 90s the court held that protesting outside of the homes of **abortion clinic employees** is protected by the first amendment

This should be displayed everywhere someone is protesting a judges home.

[OldBaldy1701E]

20. And it will be presented in court should anyone try to prosecute. (n/t)

[2naSalit]

25. No problem, they'll overturn that too...

Eventually.

[MichMan]

27. The Federal statute being referenced specifically mentions judges

While I understand your point about abortion protesters, it really isn't applicable to the Federal law being referenced

[ruet]

29. Equal Protection Clause?

Protests for me but not for thee.

[AZLD4Candidate]

24. More "free speech zones?" Conservatives have gutted the 4A and 9A, why not dismantle the 1A too?

Except, of course, that religion part. Don't worry, they've all but made the 2A untouchable.

[bringthePaine]

26. fuck these bedwetters! its called "peaceful assembly" - perhaps a "Justice " should speak up...

[ruet]

28. Sounds Like a Great Way to Have These Laws Judged "Unconstitutional". -NT-

[mahatmakanejeeves]

30. "Congress shall make no law ..." Perhaps it's time to revisit this DU thread:

If Side A gets to protest, so does Side Not-A. It works both ways.

Thu Jun 3, 2021: Homeowner Refusing to Remove 'F*** Biden,' Pro-Trump Flags Faces $500-a-Day Fine

[mahatmakanejeeves]

42. Here's a reminder, once again:

FreshMouthHat Retweeted

I protect your right to display a flag or sign with profanity on it

Link to tweet

[tonekat]

33. I was happy to read this morning

...that Fairfax County, VA police said they have no intention of stopping the protests due to such an action likely being unconstitutional.

Remember, SCOTUS sided with the obnoxious cretins from the Westboro Church who harass funerals.

Keep it up protestors!

[underpants]

34. Fairfax County says - bite my shorts Youngkin

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100216685744

[mahatmakanejeeves]

38. Fairfax County board chair rejects Youngkin's advice for Supreme Court justice protests

Thanks for the thread in the Virginia group.

COUNTYWIDE, NEWS

Fairfax County board chair rejects Youngkin’s advice for Supreme Court justice protests

Angela Woolsey Today at 10:30am

(Updated at 3:45 p.m.) Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has some thoughts on how Fairfax County should handle abortion-related protests outside Supreme Court justices’ homes.

{snip}

Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay resoundly rejected Youngkin’s proposal, arguing that it would amount to “a checkpoint that federal courts have held violates the Fourth Amendment.” ... He said it would also raise concerns related to the First Amendment’s protections for freedom of speech and assembly, stating that the county’s “well-trained, sophisticated” police department “stands ready as always to take necessary action, if needed, to protect public safety.” ... “My focus is on public safety and protecting constitutional rights of our citizens,” McKay said in a tweet sharing his letter to Youngkin. “I know the well-trained FCPD professionals can ensure both.”

Link to tweet

The exchange came two days after abortion-rights advocates organized by the group ShutDown DC marched to Alito’s house in Fort Hunt in protest of his leaked draft opinion indicating that the Supreme Court intends to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark case that has been used to protect access to abortion for nearly 50 years.

The demonstration on Monday (May 9) involved approximately 100 participants. The FCPD stated afterwards that it was peaceful, and the crowd “dispersed on their own” with no arrests necessary. ... According to McKay’s letter, anti-abortion activists have also gathered outside Alito’s house in recent days and similarly “self-dispersed” without incident. ... Just last night, Barrett got a visit at her home in Pimmit Hills from abortion-rights protestors dressed in costumes from “The Handmaid’s Tale,” Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel that is now a Hulu TV show, according to multiple news reports.

{snip}

[2Gingersnaps]

39. Youngkin can enforce laws on the books,

by arresting and charging his son for election fraud he committed during the 2020 election. How about some "consequence culture?"

[mahatmakanejeeves]

40. Miyares: SCOTUS Justices' rulings are based on law and law only. Democracy is in danger when ...

SCOTUS Justices’ rulings are based on law and law only. Democracy is in danger when we think it is okay to intimidate the court into ruling a certain way.

Link to tweet

[mahatmakanejeeves]

41. Winsome Earle-Sears: ICYMI, I was on Fox & Friends yesterday to talk about the protests outside ...

ICYMI, I was on Fox & Friends yesterday to talk about the protests outside the homes of Supreme Court justices. #everforward #LG42 #Winsome #SCOTUS

Link to tweet

[mahatmakanejeeves]

44. FYI: Protesting is a fundamental right protected by the First Amendment.

The First Amendment Retweeted

FYI: Protesting is a fundamental right protected by the First Amendment.

This generally includes our ability to march in public streets & sidewalks, even in residential neighborhoods, to make our dissent known.

People in power should not be able to restrict that right.

Link to tweet

[hamsterjill]

48. No. The justices can just move.

Women are going to have to travel away from their homes to get healthcare, so these justices can relocate. I’m sure they all have more than one home. Should not be a problem for them.