When Will Gov. Swift Call Them Back?

MN Staff
November 2002 Print Edition

 

Most pundits are saying they believe Jane Swift will call the Legislature back to vote on the Protection of Marriage Amendment but they don't know when.

However, the President of Mass. Citizens for Marriage, Sarah McVay Pawlick, says they can not go on rumors because this is much too important to do that.

"We've spent hundreds of thousands of dollars and almost three years working on this. We will not stop now."

MassNews asked the Governor's Press Secretary, James Borghesani, on Oct. 10 if the Governor will call the Legislature back.

"We haven't made that decision yet," he replied. "We are still reviewing what the Governor's constitutional obligations are." He said it's difficult to say when the citizens will find out what the Governor will do.
Pickets began their vigil in the hallway outside of Jane Swift's office at the State House on Monday, August 26. They wore stickers on their clothing saying, "Obey the Massachusetts Constitution."

When asked if the Governor is aware of the Attorney General's brief to the SJC that says it is the Governor's duty to call them back and she hasn't done it yet, Borghesani replied they are aware of the Attorney General's brief. It is one of the things they are reviewing, along with case law and what previous Governors have done.

When MassNews told him we are being forced to report in a Special Issue that the Governor is breaking the law, Borghesani said, "It would be inaccurate to say she is not in compliance because it doesn't say she has to do it in a day, a week or six months."

Pawlick replied when she heard that, that MCM will have to start a plan to step up their actions if they don't get some assurance.

"We don't want to go after Gov. Swift or anyone," said Pawlick. "We only want everyone to obey the Constitution which is very clear. As the Attorney General says, it states that the Governor 'shall' call the Legislature back if they fail to take a vote on an Amendment that comes from the people."

The people from MCM have been quietly picketing in front of the Governor's office at the State House since the week before Labor Day. But they terminated that action as planned on Columbus Day.

  
Volunteers from MCM discuss the whereabouts of Governor Swift.

"We were the 'nicest picketers in the world,'" said Pawlick. "We brought only a few people in to Beacon Hill. We hope we don't have to repeat our 500 person crowd to demonstrate we are serious, but it does get a little wearing to have to beg our elected employees to obey the law."

 

Pawlick said that some of their radio ads about Swift's failure to act have been caustic, but she and the other picketers have families and obligations too, and it is a burden to spend their time in that manner.

"I'd much rather to talk with her about children, her three little daughters and my ten grandchildren who are all five and under. I hope we still get a chance to do that."
Some picketers pose outside the Governor's office.

So MCM is planning to step up their campaign with more aggressive methods, if necessary, to get compliance with the Constitution.

"It certainly was an education watching what happens in the State House," says Pawlick. "We met many Reps, Senators and others, who wished us well. The State Police who guard the Governor became our friends as did many who work in the people's house. I shall miss the nice people I met there, but intend to return frequently to keep in touch.".


 


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