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LAW OF THE LAND
Judge Moore stands firm
Will not move 10 Commandments, announces Supreme Court filing
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Posted: August 14, 2003
3:30 p.m. Eastern
© 2003 WorldNetDaily.com
Justice Roy Moore, Alabama's Supreme Court chief justice who has been ordered by a federal judge to remove a monument of the 10 Commandments from the state's Judicial Building, announced today he will not remove the granite display and instead tomorrow will file for relief with the U.S. Supreme Court.
As WorldNetDaily reported, U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson issued an ultimatum to Moore last week to remove the washing machine-sized granite monument inscribed with the Ten Commandments. The state could face a fine for each day the testimonial remains beyond Thompson's Aug. 20 deadline.
Monument of Ten Commandments
Moore lost an appeal July 1 at the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which upheld Thompson's earlier ruling that the monument, due to its placement in the rotunda of the Judicial Building, was a violation of the establishment clause of the Constitution's First Amendment. The original suit was brought by the American Civil Liberties Union.
Besides the Decalogue, the monument, which Moore had placed and dedicated in 2001, also features quotes from the Declaration of Independence, the U. S. Constitution, the Alabama Constitution and other historical documents.
Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore
In today's declaration, which he made just a few feet from the monument, Moore said the bottom line issue is whether the state of Alabama has the right to acknowledge God, and he said the threat of fines imposed by the federal court should not deter Alabamans from fighting for the right to display the Commandments.
"The acknowledgement of Almighty God is the basis for our justice system. It is the source of our law. It is the foundation of our country," he explained.
"Separation of church and state never was meant to separate God from our government. It never was meant to separate God from the law."
Moore asserted the federal courts, by their rulings against the monument, are restricting the First Amendment rights of Alabamans.
"Today [the freedom to worship God] is being taken from us by federal courts who misuse the First Amendment as a sword to take away our rights, instead of a shield to preserve them for us."
Moore then announced his plans regarding the granite display:
"I have no intention of removing the monument of the 10 Commandments and the moral foundation of our law. …
"Tomorrow, Aug. 15, I am filing with the United States Supreme Court a writ of prohibition and mandamus directing Judge Thompson to stop this wrongful interference with state government."
In concluding his remarks, Moore said: "I have maintained the rule of law. I have been true to the oath of my office. I can do no more, and I can do no less – so help me God."
Moore claimed the cost of the case to taxpayers has reached $125 million.
"We are paying $25,000 a day on this case," he said.
As WND reported, supporters of Moore will gather at the Capitol in Montgomery on Saturday to demonstrate their opposition to the removal of the monument. Organizers are expecting as many as 15,000 people to participate.
Judge Moore stands firm
Will not move 10 Commandments, announces Supreme Court filing
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: August 14, 2003
3:30 p.m. Eastern
© 2003 WorldNetDaily.com
Justice Roy Moore, Alabama's Supreme Court chief justice who has been ordered by a federal judge to remove a monument of the 10 Commandments from the state's Judicial Building, announced today he will not remove the granite display and instead tomorrow will file for relief with the U.S. Supreme Court.
As WorldNetDaily reported, U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson issued an ultimatum to Moore last week to remove the washing machine-sized granite monument inscribed with the Ten Commandments. The state could face a fine for each day the testimonial remains beyond Thompson's Aug. 20 deadline.
Monument of Ten Commandments
Moore lost an appeal July 1 at the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which upheld Thompson's earlier ruling that the monument, due to its placement in the rotunda of the Judicial Building, was a violation of the establishment clause of the Constitution's First Amendment. The original suit was brought by the American Civil Liberties Union.
Besides the Decalogue, the monument, which Moore had placed and dedicated in 2001, also features quotes from the Declaration of Independence, the U. S. Constitution, the Alabama Constitution and other historical documents.
Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore
In today's declaration, which he made just a few feet from the monument, Moore said the bottom line issue is whether the state of Alabama has the right to acknowledge God, and he said the threat of fines imposed by the federal court should not deter Alabamans from fighting for the right to display the Commandments.
"The acknowledgement of Almighty God is the basis for our justice system. It is the source of our law. It is the foundation of our country," he explained.
"Separation of church and state never was meant to separate God from our government. It never was meant to separate God from the law."
Moore asserted the federal courts, by their rulings against the monument, are restricting the First Amendment rights of Alabamans.
"Today [the freedom to worship God] is being taken from us by federal courts who misuse the First Amendment as a sword to take away our rights, instead of a shield to preserve them for us."
Moore then announced his plans regarding the granite display:
"I have no intention of removing the monument of the 10 Commandments and the moral foundation of our law. …
"Tomorrow, Aug. 15, I am filing with the United States Supreme Court a writ of prohibition and mandamus directing Judge Thompson to stop this wrongful interference with state government."
In concluding his remarks, Moore said: "I have maintained the rule of law. I have been true to the oath of my office. I can do no more, and I can do no less – so help me God."
Moore claimed the cost of the case to taxpayers has reached $125 million.
"We are paying $25,000 a day on this case," he said.
As WND reported, supporters of Moore will gather at the Capitol in Montgomery on Saturday to demonstrate their opposition to the removal of the monument. Organizers are expecting as many as 15,000 people to participate.
