AP: Supreme Court Closes Iconic Front Entrance

[Ellis]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100503/ap_on_go_su_co/us_supreme_court_access

WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court is closing its iconic front entrance beneath the words "Equal Justice Under Law."

Beginning Tuesday, visitors no longer will ascend the wide marble steps to enter the 75-year-old building. Instead, they will be directed to a central screening facility to the side of and beneath the central steps that was built to improve the court's security as part of a $122 million renovation.

Two justices, Stephen Breyer and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, called the change unfortunate and unjustified.

Breyer said no other high court in the world, not even Israel's, has closed its front entrance over security concerns.

He said the main entrance and front steps "are not only a means to, but also a metaphor for, access to the court itself."

Breyer, joined by Ginsburg, issued an unusual statement that read almost like a dissenting opinion. It was made public at the same time as a press release from the court announcing the change.

Other justices, including Chief Justice John Roberts, have spoken fondly of being able to walk up the steps and through the 1,300-pound bronze doors at the center of the court's columned entryway. Justice Anthony Kennedy told C-SPAN last year that the steps and the words, written by building architect Cass Gilbert, were intended to inspire visitors and justices alike.

The court said the new entrance grew out of two independent security studies in 2001 and 2009.

It also noted that visitors still may exit through the central doors and walk down the 44 steps to the street.

[No_Pressure]

Wow thats a shame really. All Americans should have access to such an experience.

[Ellis]

I find something strangely symbolic about the move... being that it's a sign of the times.

And I don't like it at all.

[The_Godfather]

What will the sign above the side door say?

[HOF44]

What will the sign above the side door say?

Remove shoes and put all metal items in the container????

or

Aufero shoes quod loco totus metal items in insum

[Hubbs]

What will the sign above the side door say?

"Read 1984, ****es."

[Ellis]

What will the sign above the side door say?

"You can now find Justice in the rear."

[JimboDaMan]

"You can now find Justice in the rear."

The eel guy disagrees.

[artmonkforHOF]

What, exactly will be missing from your justice experience if you don't walk in under that heading? Do you not get a fair trail? You will be judged by a jury of your enemies?

much ado about nothing. The fact that US Supreme Court Justices think it is important just scares me. How out of touch with reality- you know that place where we live that they make the laws for- do they have to be to write a dissertation on why closing this symbolic entrance is a bad idea?