{"id":280,"date":"2010-05-04T13:26:52","date_gmt":"2010-05-04T13:26:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/lynnvsekulow\/2010\/05\/security-terrorism-scotus-chan.html"},"modified":"2010-05-04T13:26:52","modified_gmt":"2010-05-04T13:26:52","slug":"security-terrorism-scotus-chan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/lynnvsekulow\/2010\/05\/security-terrorism-scotus-chan.html","title":{"rendered":"Security & Terrorism = SCOTUS Changes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Barry,<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span> <\/p>\n

<\/span>I understand the reasoning behind it.  <\/span>And, regrettably, it’s become a sign of the times.  <\/span>But, I can’t help but think that as a nation founded on the rule of law – and a legal system open to the public – that it is unfortunate that the nation’s highest court will no longer use its front doors as an entryway to the Court.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span> <\/p>\n

<\/span>The Supreme Court <\/a>issued a brief statement notifying the media, attorneys and the public that, beginning today, no one will be permitted to use the front doors at the top of the 44 marble steps to enter the Court’s Great Hall. (The public and others will be able to continue to use the front doors to exit the Court, but no longer to enter.)<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span> <\/p>\n

<\/span>Instead, the Court <\/a>has opened a ground-floor, side entrance for the public to use that “provides a secure, reinforced area to screen for weapons, explosives, and chemical and biological hazards.”<\/span> <\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In an unusual move, Justice Breyer <\/a>– joined by Justice Ginsburg – issued a statement expressing concern about eliminating the traditional entrance.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Calling the move “unfortunate” and “dispiriting,” Justice Breyer noted that the front entrance accomplished exactly what the building’s architect, Cass Gilbert, envisioned:  <\/span>“To many members of the public, this Court’s main entrance and front steps are not only a means to, but also a metaphor for, access to the Court itself,” Justice Breyer wrote.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span> <\/p>\n

<\/span>I have had the privilege of presenting oral arguments before the Supreme Court on more than a dozen occasions now.  <\/span>And, each time I walk up those marble steps to argue a case at the high court – and enter through the big bronze doors passing under the famous words “Equal Justice Under Law” – I am inspired and marvel at the ultimate symbol of justice for America’s legal system.<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span> <\/p>\n

<\/span>Justice Breyer ended his statement with the hope that one day, the main entrance will be re-opened:<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span> <\/p>\n

<\/span>“I thus remain hopeful that, sometime in the future, technological advances, a Congressional appropriation, or the dissipation of the current security risks will enable us to restore the Supreme Court’s main entrance as a symbol of dignified openness and meaningful access to equal justice under law.”<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span> <\/p>\n

<\/span>Yes, terrorism and security threats are very real issues – and very real concerns – at the Supreme Court.  <\/span>And I certainly support the security measures implemented to make the Court as safe as possible.  <\/span>But it’s sad to see the main entrance to the high court now relegated to merely an ‘exit.’<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font><\/span> <\/p>\n

To subscribe to “Lynn v. Sekulow” click <\/font>here<\/font><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/font><\/font><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/font><\/font><\/span><\/font><\/span><\/font><\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span> <\/font><\/span> <\/span><\/font><\/span><\/font><\/span><\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/font><\/span> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Barry,   I understand the reasoning behind it.  And, regrettably, it’s become a sign of the times.  But, I can’t help but think that as a nation founded on the rule of law – and a legal system open to the public – that it is unfortunate that the nation’s highest court will no longer…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":163,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[69],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-280","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-supreme-court"],"yoast_head":"\nSecurity & Terrorism = SCOTUS Changes - Lynn v. 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Jay Sekulow has also served as a faculty member for the Office of Legal Education at the United States Department of Justice.  As a member of the faculty he instructed Assistant United States Attorneys and investigators in the First Amendment issues associated with prosecution of obscenity. An accomplished and respected judicial advocate, Sekulow has presented oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court in numerous cases in defense of constitutional freedoms. Several landmark cases argued by Sekulow before the U.S. Supreme Court have become part of the legal landscape in the area of religious liberty litigation.  In the Mergens case, Sekulow cleared the way for public school students to form Bible clubs and religious organizations on their school campuses.  In the Lamb's Chapel case, Sekulow defended the free speech rights of religious groups, ensuring that they be treated equally with respect to the use of public facilities.  And, most recently, in McConnell v. FEC, Sekulow ensured that the constitutional rights of young people remain protected with a unanimous decision by the high court guaranteeing that minors can participate in political campaigns. A nationally recognized and respected defender of religious freedom, Sekulow has assembled one of the most prestigious law firms in the nation.  Founded in 1990, the American Center for Law and Justice focuses in constitutional law.  The ACLJ, under Sekulow's direction, is involved in public interest and public policy issues working to protect religious and constitutional liberties. In 2007, the Chicago Tribune concluded that the ACLJ has \"led the way\" in Christian legal advocacy.  In 2005, TIME Magazine named Sekulow one of the \"25 Most Influential Evangelicals\" in America and called the ACLJ \"a powerful counterweight\" to the ACLU.  Business Week said the ACLJ is \"the leading advocacy group for religious freedom.\"  Sekulow's work on the issue of judicial nominees - including possible vacancies at the Supreme Court - has received extensive news coverage including a front page story in The Wall Street Journal.  In addition, The National Law Journal has twice named Sekulow one of the \"100 Most Influential Lawyers\" in the United States (1994, 1997).  He is also among a distinguished group of attorneys known as \"The Public Sector 45\" named by The American Lawyer (January\/February 1997).  The magazine said the designation represents \"45 young lawyers outside the private sector whose vision and commitment are changing lives.\" Sekulow brings insight and education to listeners daily with his national call-in radio program, Jay Sekulow Live!, which is broadcast throughout the country on nearly 850 radio stations.  Sekulow also hosts a weekly television program, ACLJ This Week, which tackles the tough issues of the day and is broadcast on a number of networks nationwide including the Trinity Broadcasting Network and FamilyNet.  Sekulow is also a popular guest on nationally televised news programs on ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, CNBC, and PBS.  He frequently contributes articles and commentary to national publications and is often quoted in the nation's leading newspapers including USA Today, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, and Washington Times. A graduate of Mercer University, Sekulow graduated cum laude receiving both a bachelor's degree and doctor of jurisprudence from Mercer University where he served on the Mercer Law Review as an editorial staff member.  Following graduation, Sekulow served as a tax trial attorney in the Office of Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service.  In that capacity, Sekulow prepared and brought to trial tax cases on behalf of the United States Department of Treasury in United States Tax Court. He also received a Ph.D. from Regent University, with a dissertation on American Legal History, and is the author of numerous publications and law articles. 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