What is the job of a Chief Justice ?

Alabama Chief Justice Refuses to Accept Marriage Equality

Take action urging the Judicial Inquiry Commission to reprimand Alabama Chief Justice Roy S. Moore, who has urged the governor and probate court judges to continue enforcing Alabama’s unconstitutional marriage ban.

His behavior is unethical, discriminatory, and a violation of his duties as chief justice.

TAKE ACTION BY MIDNIGHT

Every time we make progress in the fight for equality, an obstacle rears its head – one step forward, two steps back.

Take for example the egregious, unethical actions recently taken by Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy S. Moore…

In Alabama, a federal court has recently decided that same-sex marriage bans are unconstitutional, paving the way for marriage licenses to be issued as early as Monday, February 9th – however, Alabama Chief Justice Roy S. Moore has made it very clear: he’s not willing to comply. This could delay marriage equality for some couples throughout the state as he has directed probate judges not to comply with the marriage equality decision.

Issuing multiple statements, both after the federal court’s decision and after the U.S. Court of Appeals’ refusal to issue a stay, Alabama Chief Justice Moore claims that the federal government has no say in marriage and he will continue to enforce the state’s marriage bans. He has even gone so far as urging Alabama’s governor to refuse to issue marriage licenses to loving, committed same-sex couples.

The Southern Poverty Law Center has taken action against Chief Justice Moore by filing a complaint with the Judicial Inquiry Commission of Alabama. Will you join us in urging the commission to investigate Chief Justice Moore’s discriminatory ethics violations?

It should be noted, this isn’t his first blatant ethics violation. In 2003, the Alabama Court of the Judiciary had Roy S. Moore removed from his position as chief justice for violating the First Amendment by installing a monument to the Ten Commandments in the Alabama Supreme Courthouse – again, he refused to comply, yet was re-elected. We are asking the Judicial Inquiry Commission of Alabama to consider the same action they took in 2003 to ensure that the rule of law is followed by leaders like Chief Justice Moore.

I ask you to join HRC in calling on the Judicial Inquiry Commission of Alabama to take action against Alabama Chief Justice Roy S. Moore for attempting to influence the governor and state courts to uphold Alabama’s same-sex marriage ban despite the federal ruling. As the highest ranking member of Alabama’s court system, it is his duty to facilitate the decision of the courts, not stand in the way of justice. Chief Justice Moore is setting an irresponsible, unscrupulous precedent as we near a Supreme Court decision on marriage equality and he needs to be held accountable.

Sincerely,