Hello to you listening in Warsaw, Poland!
Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds (and a bit more) for Motivate Your Monday and your host, Diane Wyzga.
I am deeply proud of my Polish heritage and being a lawyer. These times are unprecedented; but especially for judges, the last line of freedom’s defense. Attacks on the independence of the judiciary are sweeping our country taking various forms ranging from court capture to direct attacks on judges. The cowards behind the attacks know that the independence of judges - the judicial branch of government - is foundational to democracy.
“Judicial independence is fundamental to the rule of law. The rule of law is fundamental to freedom. Freedom is fundamental to the protection of every citizen.” [John Macmenamin - Judge at the Supreme Court of Ireland]
Those are not my words. Those are the words of John Macmenamin, a judge at the Supreme Court of Ireland who joined with Polish judges at the “1000 Robes March”, an unprecedented event held in the name of judicial independence.
1000 Robes March was the greatest demonstration of judges in contemporary Europe, with more than 30,000 people, including hundreds of judges from 22 European countries marching in solidarity with their Polish colleagues in the fight for judicial independence. The silent march in January 2020 was a reaction to proposed laws that threatened to undermine the judiciary’s independence in Poland.
"A Thousand Robes" is a short (12 minute) documentary film directed by Kacper Lisowski. The story is about mutual gratitude, focusing on the positive interactions between judges, lawyers, and the public. It highlights citizens who are moved by the judges' defense of their rights and lawyers who have experienced solidarity from ordinary people and European judges. The film serves as a warning against what dismantling the democratic mechanisms of the state leads to.
Documenting this touching episode of the dramatic struggle for the rule of law that still lacks a happy ending in Poland, Kacper Lisowski also talks to the European judges participating in the march of a thousand robes. Particularly poignant is the voice of a Turkish judge who knows from experience what happens when such a struggle is lost.
Click HERE to watch A Thousand Robes the film on YouTube.
CTA: Maybe like me you will be moved to tears at what We the People can accomplish when we heed a call to action. This is what democracy looks like! Take Hope! Take Heart! Take Courage from all the good work being done by our federal judges who are in solidarity with our Democracy, our Constitution, our rule of law without fear or favor!
You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together. Be sure to stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website, check out the Services, arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as "Wyzga on Words" on Substack.
Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team
Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts
Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music
ALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved. If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.
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