National NOW Times >> Winter 05-06  >> Article

Activists Take to Streets to Oppose Roberts Nomination

By Erin Hanna, Chapter and Field Organizer

Young feminists protest the Roberts confirmation hearings outside the Capitol office buildings.

Despite a strong campaign led by NOW activists around the country, John G. Roberts was confirmed on Sept. 29 in a full Senate vote of 78-22 to become the Chief Justice of the United States.

Among those voting in opposition were Democratic Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, Dianne Feinstein of California, Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts, and Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada.

"We thank those senators who withstood the pressure from the Bush administration and voted 'no' on behalf of the women of this country," said National Organization for Women President Kim Gandy, following Roberts' confirmation. "Women will remember their commitment to our rights."

After Roberts was nominated to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor in July, NOW declared nearly immediate opposition to the extremist nominee, whose friendly manner belied grave opposition to fundamental human rights. NOW rallied with other progressive organizations unified in one message — "No on Roberts" — and led a national caucus of progressive groups dedicated to defeating the nominee.

NOW's Kim Gandy speaks at a news conference with other leaders of the No on Roberts caucus, which was organized and led by NOW.

"No on Roberts" caucuses spread across the country as NOW members and chapters mobilized their communities about the danger of a Roberts confirmation. For weeks, NOW supporters educated their friends and neighbors, organized on campuses, made calls and sent messages to their senators, and held demonstrations and vigils at senators' home offices. In addition, many NOW activists traveled to Washington, D.C., to lobby their senators and join daily protests outside the hearings.

Through briefs and memos released to the Senate Judiciary from Roberts' work for the Reagan administration, we could see that Roberts demonstrated, not only an aversion, but a real disdain for many of the issues that are at the heart of the advances we've made in the past 30 years. Advances in affirmative action, Title IX equal educational opportunities, constitutional protections against sex discrimination and sexual harassment, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the separation of church and state, and our right to personal privacy and reproductive rights are now in jeopardy with Roberts leading the court. In his writings, Roberts was downright dismissive of people who stood up for their own rights and the rights of others, with the cavalier attitude of one whose rights have always been guaranteed.

Throughout the confirmation hearings, Roberts bobbed and weaved, evading question after question from senators whose responsibility was to determine Roberts' qualifications and judicial philosophy. With so few answers, a vote to confirm was a vote that ignored the palpable threat to women, people of color and disenfranchised groups everywhere — a vote that will long be remembered.

"I hope and pray that when he serves in that most important post he will do so in a way that protects and preserves our Nation's fundamental strengths and some of our most important laws and protections of people," Feinstein said from the floor of the Senate. "I basically believe that once someone has earned a right, they should not lose that right, and the rights coming before the court in this upcoming session and in future sessions are really critical rights."

Our fight is not over. With Roberts on the high court, our battle has just begun. If we are unsuccessful in our efforts to convince Sandra Day O'Connor to stay on the Court, we will press every senator to replace her with a justice who will guard our rights and liberties. They are on the line this fall, as Roberts begins to hear cases on basic human rights, including two reproductive rights cases scheduled for late this November.

"If O'Connor's replacement is a right-wing radical, we are prepared for a battle royal," Gandy said. "Bring it on."