------------------------- Via Workers World News Service Reprinted from the March 13, 2003 issue of Workers World newspaper -------------------------
EDITORIAL: CODE GREEN FOR TERRORISTS The nine robed Supreme Court justices, who sit on the bench of the court of last resort, understand how precious the freedom to protest truly is. They stand--or sit--for civil liberties, free speech and the right of dissent. Unfortunately, they only defend these liberties when it's the right wing that's complaining it's being hampered. These judges have no quarrel with treading on the civil liberties of the vast majority in this country under the guise of a "war on terror." But when actual terrorists stand before the bench, who are responsible for a campaign of bombings and arsons and assassinations, the court is suddenly a bastion of liberty. That purposeful hypocrisy pervades the "justice" system. When anti-war groups applied to march through the public streets of New York City in the largest anti-war protest there to date, they were denied that right by an appeals court. But the highest court in the land ruled on Feb. 26 that reactionaries can mass in front of women's health clinics to disrupt the possibility of abortion procedures. They can harass and intimidate women and health care providers who have to make their way through a gauntlet of shrieking bigots and bullies. The court handed this victory to the right-wing anti-abortionists, lifting a 10-year moratorium restricting their "right" to clog entrances at abortion clinics and terrorize anyone who tried to enter. The decision was 8-1. Only Justice John Paul Stevens withheld his vote-- lest this ruling hinder protections for property owners. On this International Women's Day, the hard-won gains of women to control their own bodies are increasingly under fire. Amidst the outcry over this major decision, the Supreme Court also refused to hear an appeal by abortion providers who were trying to overturn a severe restricting of the right to abortion on demand in Indiana. Reactionaries are readying to converge on Buffalo, N.Y., to defend James Kopp--the admitted assassin of Dr. Barnett Slepian in 1998. They will use the trial to argue "justifiable homicide" and create an anti-choice media circus. The ruling by the Supremes gives the far right succor and solace. But these anti-abortionists have been defeated in Buffalo twice before, and progressive activists are organizing to ensure that they will not be successful in these goals. To lend a hand, contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] The right of women to decide if and when to have children is a very basic individual right. But it wasn't won as a gift from on high by judges in lofty courts. It was won in the crucible of struggle by millions who voiced the demand. Massive protests by women and all those who supported their rights wrested the Roe vs. Wade ruling legalizing abortion out of a largely reactionary Supreme Court in 1973. A groundswell from below, strengthened by the emerging mass movements against war, racism and repression, must defend and expand women's rights. - END - (Copyright Workers World Service: Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies of this document, but changing it is not allowed. For more information contact Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., NY, NY 10011; via e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe wwnews- [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe [EMAIL PROTECTED] Support the voice of resistance http://www.workers.org/orders/donate.php) ------------------ This message is sent to you by Workers World News Service. To subscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Send administrative queries to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
