Statement Condemning Political Violence
Jarring our celebration of the first night of Passover was the shocking news that the Governor’s Mansion was set on fire by an intruder who lit homemade incendiary devices in the dining room, the same room in which the Governor and his extended family enjoyed their seder merely a few hours before. The Governor and his family were all asleep in the Mansion. Were it not for some fortuitous circumstances, the consequences of such a brazenly sinister and illegal act may have been incomprehensibly tragic.
Compounding the potential symbolism is that our Governor proudly and ongoingly demonstrates his observance of Jewish rituals and that the attack was of the “People’s House”, the Governor’s Mansion.
We have seen violence and the threats of violence against our elected political leaders on the rise. Likewise, also on the increase, the threats and violence perpetrated against our Judges, who seek simply to resolve disputes with fairness and justice accorded to both sides. More and more, Judicial Security is an overriding concern for all Judges and the Bar.
In our democracy, there are a multiplicity of ways to register disagreement and to seek to effect change, all of which strengthen the rule of law, not abandon it.
The violence and threats of violence is a brazen attempt to spread fear and terror, cow leaders into submission to the attackers agenda, dissuade citizens from serving the public, and intimidate all of us.
We condemn the use of violence or threats of violence for political ends, or any ends.
We shall never be intimidated or held hostage to fear. Not now. Not ever. As Judges and Lawyers, the Louis D. Brandeis Law Society is committed to promoting the rule of law as well as the safety of our elected political leaders and Judges. We shall never relent.
LOUIS D. BRANDEIS LAW SOCIETY
brandeislawsociety.org
LouisDBrandeisLawSociety@gmail.com