[News-releases] NOW Outraged by Bush's Underhanded Appointment of Pryor

Title: [News-releases]

 NOW Outraged by Bush's Underhanded Appointment of Pryor

February 20, 2004

"The National Organization for Women is appalled by George W. Bush's
underhanded appointment of William Pryor to the federal appeals court,"
said NOW President Kim Gandy. "It is outrageous that Bush has again
circumvented the legal process to appoint a right wing judicial activist
during a Congressional recess. This further demonstrates his total
disregard for the women of this country and democracy in general."

"NOW has actively opposed Pryor's nomination to the 11th Circuit Court of
Appeals based on his extremist positions on abortion, civil rights, and
religion. Pryor is a threat to our judicial system and threatens the
safety of women in the United States," said Gandy. "For Bush to declare
this man as a 'distinguished public servant' is a slap in the face to
anyone who has worked for equal rights in this country."

Pryor, the Attorney General for Alabama, maintains extremist positions on
abortion, civil rights, and religion and has used the office of attorney
general to promote his conservative social agenda, specifically his belief
that the Christian religion and government should work hand in hand. He
has consistently argued against a woman's right to choose, and has said
that the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade was "the worst
abomination in the history of constitutional law." In addition, Pryor
filed an amicus brief on behalf of Alabama in United States v. Morrison,
challenging the constitutionality of a provision of the Violence Against
Women Act. He argued that this federal expansion in civil rights
protections interfered with "state's rights," and was therefore
unconstitutional.

"By acting in this devious manner, Bush has once again proved that his
agenda is completely out of touch with our society. His unilateral actions
support a conservative agenda that threatens women and must not be
tolerated any longer," said Gandy. "Now, more than ever, women's rights
supporters need to be active and exercise their voices by voting Bush out
of office in November."

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