Representatives of the Illinois Coalition For Fair Courts held a rally at Federal Plaza, at Adams and Dearborn Sept. 6 to discuss the latest developments regarding the Supreme Court, primarily the death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist and President Bush's nomination of John Roberts to replace him.
In a statement, Julie Sweet of People For the American Way's Illinois Regional Office said that ' [ w ] ith another vacancy, the stakes have been raised. The decisions of the President and the Senate in coming weeks will have a lasting impact on the American people and the Court for decades to come. Judge Roberts's records show that he has demonstrated hostility to civil-rights protections, affirmative action, protections of privacy and the separation of church and state. That's why People For the American Way opposes this nomination and many others have joined us in opposition or are raising serious concerns.'
Carol Levine of the National Council of Jewish Women, which recently issued a statement also opposing Roberts's nomination, opined at the rally that the Senate must put down its foot 'not only [ regarding his ] testimony at the upcoming hearings but the totality of his message. We believe that the extraordinary nature of his views is the compelling [ reason ] for his rejection.'
Marca Bristo of Access Living of Metropolitan Chicago said that ' [ w ] e at the disability community have grave concerns that, when at a time when we need our rights upheld more than ever, we'll see them chipped away by a Roberts court. ... Roberts has repeatedly argued to narrow the protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act, to limit the power of Congress [ in passing ] civil rights laws and to limit our remedies.'
William McNarry of Citizen Action Illinois echoed that his organization also opposed Roberts's nomination and also criticized the government's response to the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. 'We are at a very critical time in this nation's history and this Senate will be confirming two justices to the Supreme Court. We did not pick this time line ... but if it's a fight you want, then it's a fight you'll get,' a typically fiery McNarry stated.
The rally was the second of its kind. Another Supreme Court rally was staged at Federal Plaza on July 5, shortly after Justice Sandra Day O'Connor announced her retirement.
