Push Against Trump’s Supreme Court Pick At Montclair Library

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Activists plan to hold an event aimed at fighting the nomination of potential U.S. Supreme Court justice Brett Kavanaugh at the Montclair Public Library auditorium on Sunday, Aug. 26 at 2 p.m.

The local event - a letter writing and phone banking push - is being spearheaded by Unite For Justice, a coalition of activist groups across the nation. It is being held to “demand that the U.S. Senate stop Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination for a lifelong appointment to the Supreme Court.” The event is RSVP only and is now at capacity, organizers said. (Learn more about the Montclair event here)

Kavanaugh is President Donald Trump’s pick to replace U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy. The federal appeals court judge has said he is grateful and "humbled" by Trump's confidence.

• See related article: Judge Brett Kavanaugh Is Trump's Pick For Supreme Court

According to event organizers:

“On August 26, all across the country, Americans will stand united in commitment to our freedom and our future to demand that the U.S. Senate stop Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination for a lifelong appointment to the Supreme Court… Be a part of history and join NARAL Pro-Choice America on August 26 in Montclair, NJ as we participate in the National Day of Action to unite and protect Roe. We can win this fight if we stay united to work together to #stopkavanaugh. Come make your voice heard: phone-bank, friend-bank, write postcards, participate in a visibility campaign and MORE! If you've never phone banked before or aren't sure if it is for you, this is a great event to observe and learn more. All are welcome.”

Why are activists protesting Kavanaugh’s nomination? According to Unite For Justice:

“In Brett Kavanaugh, Donald Trump chose a nominee who not only has extremist, ultra-conservative legal views on a range of issues, but who has repeatedly argued that the Supreme Court should put the president above the law. Donald Trump is at the center of a criminal investigation, and he should not be allowed to pick his own judge and jury. Kavanaugh would rule against reproductive freedom, health care, the environment, voting rights, workers’ rights, LGBTQ rights, and immigrant rights for generations.”

Kavanaugh, 53, a federal appeals court judge who was a former aide to President George W. Bush, has a conservative record, top qualifications and deep connections with Republican legal groups, The New York Times reported.

When Bush nominated him 15 years ago to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Democrats balked, saying he was too biased in favor of Republicans. He faced a tough confirmation hearing and was ultimately confirmed three years later.

Before that, Kavanaugh led the investigation that eventually resulted in President Bill Clinton's impeachment. He was a lead author of the Starr Report, an investigative account of Clinton by Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr that was released on Sept. 11, 1998.

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With previous reporting by Daniel Hampton, Patch Staff

Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images