More than 100 retired California judges defend judiciary, rule of law in new 'Wall of Justice' video
More than 100 retired California judges have joined together to create the “Wall of Justice,” a video in which they don their robes and renew their oaths of office in honor of America’s 250th anniversary.
The collective tribute, which was spearheaded by the California Judges Association’s Retired Judges Initiative, also aims to reaffirm the importance of an independent judiciary and the rule of law amid increasing acts of violence against judges.
“The symbolism behind this video is that we are protecting the divide between politics and the rule of law,” says retired Judge Suzanne Ramos Bolanos, who served on the San Francisco Superior Court for 22 years. “All these attacks on the judiciary are trying to erode the independence of the judiciary, which really undermines the public’s confidence.”
Retired Judge George Eskin, who served on the Santa Barbara County Superior Court for a decade, adds that the video reinforces the notion that retired judges in California are standing up for and supporting judges not only in their state but across the country.
“We haven’t forgotten you, and when you’re in the firing line, we’re there for you,” Eskin says. “You’re doing what you’re supposed to do, which is to make decisions based on the evidence and the law and not be influenced by public opinion and popularity or threats and pointing fingers.”
Bolanos and Eskin are two co-chairs of the Retired Judges Initiative, which is a subcommittee of the California Judges Association’s Judicial Fairness Coalition. Bolanos says they created the group after realizing that retired judges are uniquely positioned to respond to attacks on the judiciary because they are no longer bound by the ethical canons that prevent sitting judges from speaking up.
So far, the Retired Judges Initiative has recruited nearly 200 retired judicial officers, which includes former state supreme court justices, appellate and trial court judges and commissioners, Eskin says.
“They have signed up to volunteer to be available as a reservoir of talent, as I’ll call it, to engage in various activities that include responding to criticism,” Eskin says.
Eskin’s son, a commercial film editor, helped create the “Wall of Justice” video after participating judges from all over the state recorded and sent in their individual portions. They purposely kept in short, so that they could share it on social media and target a broader audience, Bolanos says.
“That was the other important part of this project—reaching a younger audience, reaching younger voters,” Bolanos says.
The “Wall of Justice” video is the Retired Judges Initiative’s second public project. In September, more than 100 retired justices, judges and commissioners signed a Declaration of Judicial Independence to mark Constitution Day.
The group also has a “rapid response team” that assists judges when they face threats or attacks across the state, Bolanos says.
See also:
Erosion of public confidence in courts spurs group from former state supreme court judges
Judges seek greater security amid escalating threats
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