Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore was the guest speaker at an anti-marriage equality rally today in Texas. He gave most of the same talking points ... about states' rights and that the US Constitution says nothing about recognizing marriages of same-sex couples. He also stated that judges do not usually do public speaking, but that if he didn't oppose and speak out against marriage equality, he would be "guilty of treason."
From The New Civil Rights Movement:
Alabama Republican Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore traveled to Texas to speak at an anti-gay marriage rally Monday with state Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton.
"Normally judges don't speak in public but if I should hold back my opinions in such a time as this, I would consider myself guilty of treason toward my country," Judge Roy Moore Monday afternoon in Austin, Texas told a few dozen supporters.
The 68-year old jurist told the rowdy crowd of mostly white, mostly older males that his journey is just like that of another Alabama man to the the Alamo many decades ago.
"He took a stand in the face of an enemy that was far more numerous, but he knew that he had to make a statement for the people of Texas. And that he would give his life."
"I hope I don't give my life, but I'm going to tell you this is a very serious matter," Moore continued, to loud cheers of agreement. "There is today another threat, not only in Texas and Alabama, but across our country, where state and federal judges have overruled constitutional amendments passed by the people of those states, and people just sat by and watched it."
From JMG:
Also making an appearance today was Texas state Rep. Cecil Bell, who has introduced a bill to stop the paychecks of any state employee who issues a same-sex marriage license. Pictured with Bell is Texas Values head Jonathan Saenz, whose wife left him for another woman.
Here is a news report of the event from the Texas Tribune:
Meanwhile, Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange has filed his brief in opposition to class certification in the marriage equality case (Strawser) in that state. The plaintiffs are expected to file a response by Wednesday, and then it should be ripe for a ruling.
From Equality On Trial:
In Strawser, the potential class-action lawsuit challenging Alabama’s same-sex marriage ban, the state’s attorney general has filed his opposition to class certification. He argues that all probate judges in the state should be allowed to respond, and that the plaintiffs don’t meet the requirements for class certification because they can’t prove how many same-sex couples in Alabama want to get married, among other things. The AG argues against granting a preliminary injunction against the ban, arguing that the Supreme Court will resolve the issue ultimately, and suggesting that the probate judges would be caught between state and federal law.
I haven't posted the current freedom to marry map in a while, so look below the fold for it.