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American Morning
Monumental Standoff
Aired August 26, 2003 - 07:03 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: To Alabama now. Despite a court order saying that it must be removed, the controversial monument to the Ten Commandments remains in Alabama's judicial building. Among the complications blocking its removal are scores of protesters sitting vigil there.
David Mattingly in Montgomery this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Barricades were erected outside the glass doors of the Alabama Supreme Court Building, a possible precursor to the removal of the Ten Commandments monument. But the monument so far hasn't budged, giving hope to faithful supporters of Chief Justice Roy Moore.
CHIEF JUSTICE ROY MOORE, ALABAMA SUPREME COURT: Today, I stand before the court of the judiciary, not because I've done anything wrong, not because I've violated any law, because I've taken money, none of those things. I stand before the court of the judiciary because I've done my oath. I've kept my oath.
MATTINGLY: It was the first time Moore had spoken publicly since he was suspended from office, after violating a court order to remove the monument he installed two years ago.
Meanwhile, 170 miles to the south, two people filed suit in federal court in Mobile, Alabama, claiming their constitutional rights would be violated if the monument is removed.
BRIAN CHAVEZ-OCHOA, PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: In the event that it's moved before this court has an opportunity to hear this matter, that they be ordered to return it to the rotunda from which it is -- where it's currently in place and has been.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MATTINGLY: The Alabama state attorney general is expected to respond to that lawsuit today, but right now, all eyes are once again back on that monument. We're going to give you a look at it now. still sitting in the rotunda of the justice building here at Montgomery, Alabama, the same place it was placed two years ago by Justice Roy Moore.
And his supporters outside the courthouse today, expecting to gather again, just as they've been doing for the past several days. Again, about a dozen to 20 people decided to spend the night out here. Everyone keeping a 24-hour vigil, keeping an eye on that monument to see what happens next -- Bill.
HEMMER: And we are, too. David, thanks -- David Mattingly there for us.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
Aired August 26, 2003 - 07:03 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: To Alabama now. Despite a court order saying that it must be removed, the controversial monument to the Ten Commandments remains in Alabama's judicial building. Among the complications blocking its removal are scores of protesters sitting vigil there.
David Mattingly in Montgomery this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Barricades were erected outside the glass doors of the Alabama Supreme Court Building, a possible precursor to the removal of the Ten Commandments monument. But the monument so far hasn't budged, giving hope to faithful supporters of Chief Justice Roy Moore.
CHIEF JUSTICE ROY MOORE, ALABAMA SUPREME COURT: Today, I stand before the court of the judiciary, not because I've done anything wrong, not because I've violated any law, because I've taken money, none of those things. I stand before the court of the judiciary because I've done my oath. I've kept my oath.
MATTINGLY: It was the first time Moore had spoken publicly since he was suspended from office, after violating a court order to remove the monument he installed two years ago.
Meanwhile, 170 miles to the south, two people filed suit in federal court in Mobile, Alabama, claiming their constitutional rights would be violated if the monument is removed.
BRIAN CHAVEZ-OCHOA, PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: In the event that it's moved before this court has an opportunity to hear this matter, that they be ordered to return it to the rotunda from which it is -- where it's currently in place and has been.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MATTINGLY: The Alabama state attorney general is expected to respond to that lawsuit today, but right now, all eyes are once again back on that monument. We're going to give you a look at it now. still sitting in the rotunda of the justice building here at Montgomery, Alabama, the same place it was placed two years ago by Justice Roy Moore.
And his supporters outside the courthouse today, expecting to gather again, just as they've been doing for the past several days. Again, about a dozen to 20 people decided to spend the night out here. Everyone keeping a 24-hour vigil, keeping an eye on that monument to see what happens next -- Bill.
HEMMER: And we are, too. David, thanks -- David Mattingly there for us.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
