Organizing Prowess Characterizes New Administration

The news this week that the U.S. Senate hearing on the nomination of New York Appellate Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor will begin one month from now, on July 13th, provides an opportunity for reflection and organizing. Judge Sotomayor gives a strong positive first impression as a candidate and potential member of the U.S. Supreme Court, and her nomination also demonstrates this Administration’s capacity to garner interest and support.

Within minutes of the nomination, an invitation had been distributed to join a conference call on the nominee and her strengths. The queue of interest was so long that the call was ten minutes late in opening. I was on the call, and key staff from the White House were well prepared to give an overview of the criteria used to select and vet the candidate and the process they expected Congress would follow in moving the nomination forward. Their hope to complete the process prior to the August recess is to ensure that a new member of the Court will be prepared to participate in the selection of cases for the next term by September. Judging by those who asked questions, those on the call represented a wide array of national organizations with chapters distributed across the country and in a position to influence public opinion in support of the nomination.

FOR was a part of a delegation from the Christian Peace Witness Iraq (CPWI) gathering in late April in Washington, which met with the White House Office of Public Engagement on the President’s 100th day in office to urge a different course in Iraq and Afghanistan. The White House Office clearly leverages such conferences to expand its access to public feedback. This appointment is important and we should all seek a full understanding of the candidate’s capacity for the position to then share our views with our members of Congress. This is a time for critical inquiry and active advocacy.

The organizing process is also instructive for those of us who seek to more fully engage the American public in the work of civil society. At the moment it is self-exemplifying in its success. Let’s hear your reflection on the candidate and the process over the next few months on this appointment.

Also, since this topic provides the chance to mention the CPWI event in DC a few weeks ago, an additional point. A message today from Ken Butigan of Pace e Bene reminds us that some of our group were arrested in Washington, and face trial. We are invited to offer support through our physical presence and messages of support:

On June 29, Vicki Andrews, Joan Nicholson, and Roger Cragun will be tried in the District of Columbia Superior Court.  They were arrested as they prayed for peace at the White House as part of the CPWI April 29-30 witness.  After their arrest, they chose to refuse the “post and forfeit” option and pled Not Guilty at their April 30 arraignment after spending the night in jail.

They would like to ask for your support.

For those in the Washington, DC area, they invite you to attend the trial, beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 29.  They will be representing themselves, assisted by Ann Wilcox, esq., who will be their legal advisor. The address of the Superior Court is: 500 Indiana Ave., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20001.

The group would ask that people notify and invite members of their networks in the greater Washington area to publicize and attend the trial. ... 

Please let Vicki Andrews and the others know if you can support them in this important act of faith and conscience.