Arlington, VA Ð The Feminist Majority today announced its opposition to John Roberts, President Bush’s nominee for the United States Supreme Court.
“Everything we know about Judge Roberts’ record indicates that he will be a solid vote against women’s rights and Roe v. Wade,” said Eleanor Smeal, president of the Feminist Majority. “If he is to be confirmed by senators who support women’s rights, he must say where he stands on Roe and the right to privacy. The burden is on him.”
Moreover, the Feminist Majority is dismayed that President Bush chose to nominate a man to fill the Supreme Court vacancy. “I am extremely disappointed that the President did not appoint a centrist woman to fill Sandra Day O’Connor’s seat on the Supreme Court,” Smeal continued. “We are now going back to tokenism for women on the highest court in the land.”
Judge Roberts, as Deputy Solicitor General, argued against Roe v. Wade, and also argued on behalf of Operation Rescue, an extreme anti-abortion group, in Bray v. Alexandria. The pro-choice loss in Bray v. Alexandria increased violence at clinics. In private practice, Roberts argued against affirmative action for minorities.
The Feminist Majority will continue to examine Roberts’ record, and it will demand that Senators not confirm Roberts unless he makes clear that he will not reverse Roe, civil rights, women’s rights, and the rights of the disabled. If Judge Roberts will not reveal his views on these fundamental women’s and civil rights and the separation of church and state, Senators must vote against his confirmation.
For more information, visit Feminist Court Watch.
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