Supreme Court marshal Gail Curley called on Maryland And Virginia officials to enforce anti-picketing state and local laws outside of justice’s homes in concern for their safety.
“For weeks on end, large groups of protesters chanting slogans, using bullhorns, and banging drums have picketed Justices’ homes,” she wrote in a letter to officials in both states, referring to protests outside of justices’ homes sparked by the court’s leaked opinion draft of a decision to overturn Roe v. Wade back in May.
Conservative justices have been primary the subjects of picketing and protests. An armed man was arrested last month after traveling from California and has been charged with the attempted murder of Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
“Earlier this week, for example, 75 protesters loudly picketed at one Justice’s home in Montgomery County for 20-30 minutes in the evening, then proceeded to picket at another Justice’s home for 30 minutes, where the crowd grew to 100, and finally returned to the first Justice’s home to picket for another 20 minutes,” Curley added in one letter to a Montgomery County officer. “This is exactly the kind of conduct that the Maryland and Montgomery County laws prohibit.”
Law enforcement has been present at the justices’ homes since the leaked draft. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan(R) wrote a joint letter to Attorney General Merrick Garlandasking the Justice Department to send federal resources to ensure the justices’ safety. Though Garland responded by tightening security around the homes, protests have still continued to take place.
In response to Curley’s letter, spokespeople from both governors called on Garland to act in enforcing the laws.
Michael Ricci, a spokesperson for Gov. Hogan, also raised questions over the constitutionality of Curley’s request.
