As retired US judges, we’re not used to speaking out. But we cannot be silent | Michael P Donnelly and Robert F Orr
When its government sought greater control over the judiciary, Polish judges put on their robes and marched through Warsaw. Judges from across Europe joined them in what became the March of 1,000 Robes.Then they left their courthouses and traveled through towns and villages, explaining what an independent judiciary means to a farmer, shopkeeper, parent or business owner. They talked about law not as an abstraction, but as protection against arbitrary power.How do we defeat authoritarianism?
- ▪When its government sought greater control over the judiciary, Polish judges put on their robes and marched through Warsaw.
- ▪Judges from across Europe joined them in what became the March of 1,000 Robes.Then they left their courthouses and traveled through towns and villages, explaining what an independent judiciary means to a farmer, shopkeeper, parent or busine
- ▪They talked about law not as an abstraction, but as protection against arbitrary power.How do we defeat authoritarianism?
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| Original publisher | The Guardian — US |
| Canonical URL | https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/aug/02/judges-lawyers-partisan |
| Publication time | Sun, 02 Aug 2026 11:00:20 GMT |
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‘Restraint should not be confused with silence about the survival of the institution itself.’ Photograph: Brian Jackson/AlamyView image in fullscreen‘Restraint should not be confused with silence about the survival of the institution itself.’ Photograph: Brian Jackson/AlamyOpinionUS newsAs retired US judges, we’re not used to speaking out. But we cannot be silentMichael P Donnelly and Robert F OrrWe joined a recent bus tour of 30 judges, lawyers and advocates fighting not for any partisan aim, but for the rule of law itselfSun 2 Aug 2026 07.00 EDTShareLast October, US lawyers, judges and rule-of-law advocates traveled to Warsaw as guests of the Carter Center. Neither of us was among them.
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