Maricopa County lawyers turnout in protest
Do lawyers on the ground in Maricopa County care about the state of their courts as much as the scattered bloggers across the country? Today was the rally on the courthouse steps, and according to the Phoenix New Times, about 300 showed up, mostly attorneys:
In a series of short speeches, the protestors focused on two things: defending the local judiciary from Thomas' onslaught of attacks, and then turning the tables and attacking Thomas.Attorney Tom Ryan kicked things off by explaining that he was neither a criminal defense lawyer, a Democrat, nor a liberal. "I'm a native of Chandler, Arizona, a Republican, and a lifelong East Valley conservative," he said, setting things straight right out of the chute.
But, Ryan said, it was time for "all concerned men and women of the Bar to come together."
"Andrew Thomas is a bully and a coward," Ryan said, to cheers from the phalanx of lawyers, "who, when he does not get his way, abuses the awesome power of the county attorney in a misguided and unethical attempt to get his own way."
The crowd recited the Attorney's Oath, sang America the Beautiful, and called for the removal of County Attorney Andrew Thomas.
Comments
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Posted by: Johnny Gardner | December 21, 2009 10:33 PM
Goddamn spammers.
Posted by: BFrederick | December 21, 2009 10:54 PM
We were prepared for brownshirts with tasers. Instead, the protest was very peaceful. A broad variety of the attorneys showed up; perhaps most telling, was Tom Ryan. Ryan is a self-professed conservative Republican from the East Valley. That is County Attorney Thomas power base. The wheels may be coming off the fundraising cart....
Posted by: Jameson Johnson | December 22, 2009 12:44 AM