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Judges break silence, go on the road to fight for the courts
USA Today • • nation
Key Points:
- Former Ohio Supreme Court justice Michael Donnelly and a bipartisan group of judges undertook a multi-state bus tour to raise public awareness about the importance of an independent judiciary amid increasing politicization and attacks on the courts.
- The judges engaged with diverse audiences including students, lawyers, and activists across Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan, emphasizing the need to protect judicial independence and the rule of law from political interference.
- The tour featured symbolic acts such as judges marching in robes with purple roses, inspired by Poland's "March of a Thousand Robes," to visibly demonstrate their commitment to nonpartisan justice and constitutional principles.
- Judges shared personal experiences of threats and hostility, highlighting the growing dangers faced by members of the judiciary and the urgent need for public support to uphold democratic institutions.
- Organizers hope to replicate the tour nationally, encouraging judges to speak out and connect with communities to humanize the judiciary and reinforce citizens' understanding of the courts' vital role in democracy.
