Updates – Page 2

May 12, 2023

LDAD recognizes Arkansas College Student as a Democracy Hero

Threats to the rule of law are as much a reality within our own communities as they are nationally. It is at the local level where we find our current democracy hero, Alex Barnett.

Conway is a small town of about 65,000 in Central Arkansas. It is home to three colleges and universities and has one of the highest rates of residents with college degrees in the state. Alex, one of those area college students, was sentenced to 10 days in the county jail for non-violently protesting the Conway School Board’s newly-passed policies against transgender students.

Published by The Board, Lawyers Defending American Democracy in Blog Posts, Heros & Threats

April 25, 2023

Pushing Back Against False Truths

In the movie, the Glass Onion, Kate Hudson’s Birdie – with self-admiration and a lack of introspection – announced that she is a “truth-teller.” In response, the detective played by Daniel Craig drolly noted, “It’s a dangerous thing to mistake speaking without thought for speaking the truth.”

Published by The Board, Lawyers Defending American Democracy in Updates

April 6, 2023

Tennessee: A battleground for democracy

The fight to preserve democracy is being waged within each state – local clashes that have significant meaning far beyond local borders. Such an example is occurring this week in Tennessee, where state lawmakers are acting with alarming speed and without a legitimate process to expel three of their colleagues for leading an anti-gun demonstration in the House less than one week ago.

Published by The Board, Lawyers Defending American Democracy in Statements

March 1, 2023

LDAD mourns the loss of Marianne Meacham

Lawyers Defending American Democracy mourns the loss of Marianne Meacham, a member of our board, who died on Sunday, February 26.

Marianne was an extraordinary lawyer and friend. She believed passionately in the need for lawyers to speak out to protect democracy and the rule of law. She saw clearly the dangers facing our country, and stepped forward to meet those challenges by volunteering her time, energy, and considerable intellect to our organization, assisting in a variety of ways.

Published by The Board, Lawyers Defending American Democracy in Statements

February 14, 2023

LDAD’s Executive Director Edits Revealing New Book on Female Judges

LDAD is proud to share information about an upcoming book edited by our executive director, Lauren Stiller Rikleen, entitled: Her Honor –Stories of Challenge and Triumph from Women Judges. The book contains nuanced, personal stories by and about some of the nation’s most respected women judges.

Published by The Board, Lawyers Defending American Democracy in Updates

February 10, 2023

Copy Cat Threats to Democracy from Brazil, Germany and the USA

Societies must understand and learn the lessons of history to avoid repeating the same mistakes. That is why the detailed report and supporting materials of the January 6 Committee is instructive for those in the United States and in other countries who seek to keep their democracies intact. As we look at conditions around the world, however, there is growing reason for worry about democracy’s future.

Published by The Board, Lawyers Defending American Democracy in Blog Posts, Heros & Threats

January 27, 2023

CA Disciplinary Authority Files Charges Against John Eastman

Yesterday, the State Bar of California filed disciplinary charges against John Eastman for his role in attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election. LDAD commends the Office of Chief Trial Counsel for seeking to hold Mr. Eastman accountable.

Published by The Board, Lawyers Defending American Democracy in Blog Posts, Ethics Complaints, Updates

January 23, 2023

Judge Sanctions Trump and His Lawyer for Frivolous “Revenge” Lawsuit

Last week, a Federal District Court Judge held Donald Trump accountable for his habitual misuse of the justice system to threaten and punish his business competitors and political enemies. Judge Donald Middlebrooks, of the Southern District of Florida, presided over the former president’s suit against Hillary Clinton, James Comey, and the Democratic National Committee, among others, for conspiring to spread allegations that Trump had colluded with Russia in the 2016 campaign.

Published by The Board, Lawyers Defending American Democracy in Blog Posts

December 13, 2022

Reflections on the Supreme Court’s Oral Argument – Moore v. Harper

On December 7^th, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Moore v. Harper, a case presenting one of the greatest threats to American democracy in the last 250 years. The Petitioners, North Carolina state legislators, are asking the Court, in effect, to interpret the U.S. Constitution in a way that would authorize partisan-controlled state legislatures to enact laws in their partisan self-interest, even if the laws violate their state’s constitution.

Published by The Board, Lawyers Defending American Democracy in Blog Posts

December 2, 2022

In a Rejection of “Radical Re-ordering” of the Law, the Court Rejects Special Treatment for the Former President

In September, Lawyers Defending American Democracy reported on the unexpected and unprecedented actions of Florida District Court Judge Aileen Cannon for her rulings in a criminal investigation into former President Trump’s handling of presidential documents, including many designated as top secret. LDAD concluded that Judge Cannon’s ruling appointing a Special Master and effectively halting a criminal investigation was unprecedented and gave the appearance of partiality to the former President.

Published by The Board, Lawyers Defending American Democracy in Blog Posts