July 2, 2010
Last year, five activists were detained during Sotomayor’s hearings.
Elena Kagan is 0-5 against Sonia Sotomayor so far.
That’s in terms of how many activists were arrested at their respective Supreme Court confirmation hearings. Last year, audience members repeatedly interrupted Sotomayor with shouts of protest.
Despite questions raised by conservative activists on Kagan’s stances on abortion, the military, and gay rights, her confirmation hearings haven’t triggered such a loud response.
Kagan’s hearings are winding down without much controversy, and the handful of activists attending them have been diligently taking notes and tweeting updates — not shouting in protest or holding signs outside.
Some of them met with lawmakers this week to share petitions from Americans who oppose Kagan’s nomination. Tea Party Nation sent out an e-mail Thursday urging members to call senators as the vote nears.
Lucy McVicker, spokeswoman for the anti-abortion Students for Life of America, said that her group always participates in peaceful activism and has told students “to participate in such a way that will not lead to arrests.”
The activists arrested at Sotomayor’s hearings last year did not seem to be in the audience this time around.
– Ambreen Ali, Congress.org