Tape over mouth symbolized Kansas Supreme Court's gag order on Judge Richard Anderson
This year’s Rally for Life, which was promoted by Kansans for Life, drew a huge crowd of about 1500 in Topeka in front of the Kansas Supreme Court Building today.
About 1000 pieces of tape were handed out to participants to wear to symbolize the Kansas Supreme Court’s gag order on Judge Richard Anderson. This gag order by the high court prevents Judge Anderson from additional testimony in the Planned Parenthood case brought by former Johnson County District Attorney, Phill Kline. (See today’s WorldNetDaily article, Kansas exiles abortion-busting DA, by Jack Cashill).
Judge Anderson has been ordered by the Kansas Supreme Court to not respond to any subpoena regarding the Planned Parenthood case. This order is not based on the fact that he is a Judge, but rather that he is a judge the Kansas Supreme Court has authority over. In other words, the Supreme Court can issue a severe sanction that will harm or end his career in the judiciary if Anderson defies the order.
There is ample case law allowing judges to testify when they are witnesses, just as any citizen.
The Kansas Supreme Court, in the original 2004 Alpha-Beta case (the original Planned Parenthood/Tiller lawsuit against Judge Anderson and Attorney General Phill Kline), essentially placed Judge Anderson in the role of an investigator and/or law enforcement officer, when the Court ordered Judge Anderson to oversee production of the records. Typically, items obtained by a proper subpoena are produced directly to law enforcement. Due to the Supreme Court order in the Alpha-Beta case, Judge Anderson became custodian of the records produced, essentially stepping into the shoes of law enforcement.
The custodian testifies in court to lay the foundation for the introduction of the records. Further, it is a “subpoena duces tecum” that orders the custodian to bring the records to court for their introduction. Since Judge Anderson maintains the original documents produced by Planned Parenthood, his testimony stating that he is in fact in possession of those documents and is producing them to the court is the necessary foundation for their introduction into evidence.
Remember that the records Judge Anderson would produce are fully redacted, have absolutely no information identifying specific patients and are fully compliant with the Supreme Court’s original Alpha-Beta decision. They are, therefore, less sensitive than medical records with identities introduced into court every day.
Regardless, the current Supreme Court order, sought and obtained by Attorney General Six, prohibits Anderson from responding to subpoena or producing the records. The order does not cite any case law, statute or constitutional provision. Anderson must comply with the order or he risks severe sanction from the Kansas Supreme Court.
The actions by the Kansas Supreme Court are unprecedented and alarming since they gave no justification for their gag order on Judge Anderson.
From the Kansans for Life press release:
Paint tape was distributed to rally participants today to wear as gags in protest of the fact that Kansas A.G. Six asked and the Kansas Supreme Court ordered, the silencing of Judge Richard Anderson in the Planned Parenthood case.
Last year Judge Anderson said under oath that former A.G. Paul Morrison shouldn’t have issued a clearance letter to Planned Parenthood, among other things. However, when former Johnson County D.A. Phill Kline wanted to bring Anderson back for a hearing to see if there was enough evidence to go to trial, Anderson was silenced. Additionally Kline was not allowed to procure copies of key abortion reports from the KDHE. Those reports do not contain any identities. That issue is on appeal. …
KFL Development Director, David Gittrich led participants in a chant of FREE JUDGE ANDERSON after the two minute moment of silence by the gagged crowd, was over.
This rally was a celebration of life and a call for respect for all human life from conception until natural death.
Daughter and Mom at KFL Rally for Life
The event started at the Catholic Church, Mater Dei-Assumption, which is just to the north of the Capitol building.
Mater Dei Bell Tower and Kansas Capitol
Workshops before the march were in a crowded (and very warm) basement meeting room. The workshops covered:
- From Tears to Triumph: Abortion Aftermath
- Sonogram Effectiveness
Crowded Workshop
The Catholic fraternal service group, Knights of Columbus, let the march from Mater Dei to the Supreme Court Building.
Knights of Columbus Lead March to Kansas Supreme Court
Marchers cross 10th Ave. to Supreme Court Building
KFL Rally at Supreme Court Building
Kansans for Life Development Director, David Gittrich, introduced several speakers and introduced a number of prolife legislators.
KFL Rally for Life in front of Supreme Court
Signs near podium at Rally for Life
The banners above say:
- “How can there be too many children? That’s like saying there are too many flowers” — Mother Teresa
- Kansans for Life
- A People of Life and For Life. Vote Pro-Life. (Knights of Columbus)
Several groups brought their banners. [I apologize if I missed any.]
Bishop Miege High School's Miegians for Life
Hayden High School Banner
Salina Diocese Respect Life
KFL sponsored “Best Orator” and “Best Poster” contests. The “Best Orator” gave her talk to the large crowd. [I apologize for not getting a picture of the young man winning the Best Poster contest.]
Winner of "Best Orator" Contest
After the rally at the Supreme Court, many attended either an interdeominational service, or a Catholic Mass.
Mass at Mater Dei-Assumption Catholic Church
After the prayer services, lunch was provided in the original meeting room.
A final workshop described the services of Alexandra’s House, a charitable perinatal hospice house and infant refuge in Kansas City.
Mom and miracle daughter, Tatum
Brenda read her prepared statement, which was difficult for her at times, about her experiences and help from Alexandra’s House. Brenda had received advice to abort her “not viable” daughter but with the help of Alexandra’s House found courage and support.
The young Tatum “helped” mom give the talk, as her mom described the big need for support and encouragement during a difficult pregnancy. At one point Tatum shook her head “no” when mom was describing some things that should never happen. The audience was touched.
Megan from Topeka gave a very touching account of her recent tragic loss in the fight to save her daughter. Megan said it was important to carry a child to full term “to give this baby dignity.” Megan confirmed that Alexandra’s House was a “needed ministry” and “truly helps people.” Both Megan and many in the audience were crying during her talk.
The war for the Culture of Life continues.
Sadly, earlier a small group of pro-abortion protesters “greeted” the prolife crowd as they left the Supreme Court building.
Protesters
Sadly, Catholic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius in a signed Oct 28, 2002 letter to certain Catholics in Topeka, when she was first running for governor, said “I am not pro-abortion. I will not, and never have, promoted abortion. I am a practicing Catholic … I feel about abortion just like you do…”.
There were a large number of Catholics and other Christians at the Rally for Life today that feel very differently about abortion than Gov. Sebelius. On May 9, 2008, Gov. Sebelius’ veto of the Comprehensive Abortion Report Act, prompted pastoral action by Catholic Archbishop Joseph Naumann.
Related:
- Unprecedented numbers (1,500) Attend the Kansans for Life Rally on Kansas Supreme Court Steps on the 36th Anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, Kansans for Life, Jan. 22, 2009.
- Record crowd attends Roe vs. Wade rally in Topeka, Kansas Liberty, Jan 22, 2008.
- Why all the secrecy in the Kansas Supreme Court?, Kansas Meadowlark, Dec 4, 2007.
Tags: Kansans for Life
