US Supreme Court marshal asks Maryland governor to enforce laws barring picketing outside justices
On June 8, 2022, US Marshals patrolled outside the home of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, in Chevy Chase, Md. JACQUELYN MARTIN AP WASHINGTON - The US Supreme Court's top security officer has asked Maryland Governor Larry Hogan to enforce laws barring picketing outside the Maryland homes of high court justices, saying protests and threatening activity have increased.
Supreme Court Marshal Gail Curley wrote a letter to Hogan on July 1, noting that Maryland law prevents people from intentionally assembling in a manner that disrupts a person's right to tranquility in the person's home. I am writing to request that the Maryland State Police, in conjunction with local authorities, enforce laws prohibiting picketing outside the homes of Supreme Court justices in Maryland, according to a letter posted on the Fox News website.
Abortion rights activists protested outside the Maryland homes of Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh and the Virginia home of Justice Samuel Alito Jr after the leak in May of a draft opinion by the court overturn Roe v Wade, the 1973 decision guaranteeing women the right to abortion.
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The final opinion was issued by the court last month.
Curley reminded the governor that he was deeply concerned about the picketing outside justices homes in his state in May. Hogan wrote a letter with Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin to US Attorney General Merrick Garland asking for enforcement of a federal law barring demonstrations intended to sway judges on pending cases.
Curley said protesters have used bullhorns, chanted slogans, and banged drums at Justices homes since then, as well as increased activity at justices homes.
The letter also stated an attempt on a Justice's life, an apparent reference to the arrest last month near Kavanaugh's home of a California man armed with a handgun, a knife and pepper spray.