Florida Supreme Court Action Alert

 

 

Florida Supreme Court Justice Charles Wells is retiring next month, and Governor Charlie Crist is in the process of selecting Wells' replacement.

 

This is an extremely important moment for us as the balance of the court is at stake!

 

The Governor is considering four nominees.  Though we have more to learn about these nominees, we do know that Florida Right to Life, Florida Family Action, the National Rifle Association and the ultra right-wing American Family Association have begun to rally around the anti-choice Judge Alan Lawson.  There is also a second nominee that we know is anti-choice, Daniel Gerber.  We cannot sit by idly. 

 

Florida’s pro-choice and pro-family planning voices must be heard! Florida's women, men, and families cannot afford a Supreme Court appointment that would endanger Florida's constitutionally-protected right to privacy and put women's health at risk.

 

 

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Supreme Court Should Reflect Our Diversity

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am writing to ask that you stand strong and not bow to the pressure of ultra-right groups like the American Family Association, Florida Family Action and Florida Right to Life by appointing Judge Alan Lawson to replace Justice Wells on the Florida Supreme Court. Anti-choice idealogues have no place on our courts.

The court should reflect the great diversity of our state. Our seven-member court has only ONE African-American Justice and only TWO are women.

Governor Crist, please use this opportunity to appoint a Justice that truly represents Florida's gender, racial, and ideological diversity.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
February 12, 2009


Background Information

This will be Governor Crist’s fourth appointment to our seven-member state Supreme Court, allowing the Governor more influence on the Supreme Court than most Governor’s in Florida’s history.

We know that the decision to keep Roe v. Wade legal could be overturned by the United States Supreme Court at any time, sending this decision down to the states.

Florida's Supreme Court hangs in the balance of pro-choice justices.  With the Florida Supreme Court stacked with extremist anti-choice justices, Floridians could lose the right to obtain a safe and legal abortion, turning back the clock to the days before Roe v. Wade.  It is important that Governor Crist appoint a Supreme Court Justice that is fair-minded and demonstrates an understanding of Florida's constitutionally-protected right to privacy.