Following the shocking leak of the initial draft majority opinion written by Justice Alito last month, abortion activist groups went into a full-out pressure campaign against the conservative justices who reported voted to uphold a Missippisi abortion law. Unfortunately, the opinion would also overturn two main abortion precedents
Alito’s opinion attacked the Roe v Wade decision, which established (created) a constitutional right to have an abortion, and a subsequent decision, Planned Parenthood v. Casey. “Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,” wrote Alito.
They organized groups of protesters outside the six conservative justice private residences. Their actions not only disrupted the justices who chose to stay in their homes amid death threats, but their neighbors expressed their frustration with the breach of their privacy too.
Those protesting have pointed to the rights enshrined in the Constitution’s First Amendment.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
In general, the first amendment would protect their speech. Still, many legal scholars have determined that protesting outside the homes of these justices involved in a pending court ruling violates a federal statute.
“Whoever, with the intent of interfering with, obstructing, or impeding the administration of justice, or with the intent of influencing any judge, juror, witness, or court officer, in the discharge of his duty, pickets or parades in or near a building housing a court of the United States, or in or near a building or residence occupied or used by such judge, juror, witness, or court officer, or with such intent uses any sound-truck or similar device or resorts to any other demonstration in or near any such building or residence, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.”
To ensure this type of intimidation does not occur in the Sunshine State, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation making it illegal to protest outside of private homes.
In the law, violators would be given one chance to disperse. If they do not comply, they will be subject to arrest and up to 60 days in jail.
“Sending unruly mobs to private residences, like we have seen with the angry crowds in front of the homes of Supreme Court justices, is inappropriate,” DeSantis said in a statement. “This bill will provide protection to those living in residential communities and I am glad to sign it into law.”
This quick and decisive action has become the norm for the union’s popular yet most despised governor.
Republicans are divided on if DeSantis should run for President in 2024 after his expected re-election victory in November.
With President Trump reported running in 2024, DeSantis has expressed that he would not run against Trump but instead focus on further improving Florida.
For me and other conservatives, Trump should be a candidate in 2024, with DeSantis running in 2028 and then winning re-election in 2032.
t may be hopeful thinking, but it sure would shape the nation’s capital and turn America back towards traditional values.