Citizens Picket Offices of Supreme Judicial Court; Want Margaret Marshall Removed -

Citizens Picket Offices of Supreme Judicial Court; Want Margaret Marshall Removed February 19, 2004

demonstration

Two of the 70 protestors, who picketed yesterday for the removal of Judge Margaret Marshall, hold a sign they used at the demonstration outside the new offices of the Supreme Judicial Court at One Beacon Street.

   Over 70 people picketed the offices of the Supreme Judicial Court on One Beacon Street at noontime yesterday in the first event of their plan to have Margaret Marshall removed from the court.
    Known as the "Article 8 Alliance," the group allows no organizations, only individuals, to participate and is a loose band of outraged citizens who want to tap the vast anger and discontent that is present in the state.
    They plan to use Article 8 of the state Constitution, which is part of the original state Constitution. It allows that all judges shall "hold their offices during good behavior," but "nevertheless, the governor, with the consent of the [governor's] council may remove them upon the address of both houses of the legislature."
    A spokesman for the Alliance says there are no procedures necessary that the legislature must follow. All that is needed is a majority vote that it is their belief that it is in the best interests of the Commonwealth that a certain judge be removed. There need not be a trial or other formal procedure, only a vote by the majority of the legislature according to Article 8 of the Constitution.
    The 70 citizens stood in a group in front of the office building, singing the Battle Hymn of the Republic and chanting, "Margaret Marshall's gotta go." They carried the Pine Tree flag which flew over Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775

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