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Updated January 10, 2006
 On October 31, President Bush nominated Judge Samuel Alito to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court. Based on his judicial record, advocates have raised concerns about Alito's nomination seeing him as a threat to civil rights, reproductive and privacy rights, environmental protections, religious liberty and safeguards for workers. Hearings began on Monday, January 9, 2006.
Moving Ideas will continue to update this guide with the most up-to-date information about Alito and actions you can take to protect the Supreme Court. Be sure not to miss out on the Supreme Court action by signing up to receive the Moving Ideas weekly e-newsletter.
About Samuel Alito | Women's Rights | Environment | Religious Freedom | Civil Rights | Disability Rights | Gun Control | Gay/Lesbian Rights | Action | What's at Stake? | Fun & Games | Stay Informed
ABOUT SAMUEL ALITO
Senate Judiciary Committee Questionnaire (PDF)
The Washington Post
Read Judge Alito's complete response to the Senate Judiciary Committee questionnaire courtesy of The Washington Post.
 The Record and Legal Philosophy of Samuel Alito: "No One to the Right of Sam Alito on this Court"
People For the American Way*
A comprehensive report on Samuel Alito that examines his record and judicial philosophy. Includes details about how Alito would increase presidential powers, erode civil rights, end reproductive freedom, favor the powerful over the powerless, curtail Congress’ power to protect citizens and more.
Report on the Nomination of Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr., to be Associate Justice on the United States Supreme Court
American Civil Liberties Union
Alito's record on reproductive rights, free speech, religion, civil rights, voting rights, immigration, drug policy and much more.
Judge Samuel Alito, Nominee For Associate Supreme Court Justice
Americans for Democratic Action*
Provides descriptions of Alito's troubling opinions concerning federalism, civil rights (including discrimination based on race, gender, and disability), reproductive rights and the First Amendment.
WOMEN'S RIGHTS
Judge Alito Has Taken Positions That Would Undermine Critical Anti-Discrimination Protections for Women
National Women's Law Center
Alito's record raises significant concerns that, if confirmed to the Supreme Court, he would act to weaken the federal laws against discrimination in the workplace.
Hanging by a Thread: 5 Rights Women Could Lose (PDF)
National Partnership for Women & Families
The replacement of just one or two Supreme Court justices could fundamentally alter protections that we now take for granted.
Liberty At Risk: The Vulnerability of Reproductive Rights Under Alito
NARAL Pro-Choice America
Whether Samuel Alito would vote to overrule Roe v. Wade is not the only question before the Senate or the American people. Overturning Roe outright is not the most likely avenue for the Court and anti-choice legislatures to take in the near term.
New Document: Alito Favored Overturning Roe vs. Wade and State-Level Barriers to Reproductive Rights
People for the American Way*
Fresh evidence has emerged showing Alito’s anti-choice activism during the Reagan Administration.
Facts about Samuel Alito
NARAL Pro-Choice America
Alito, who has been called “a favorite son of the political right,” would likely vote to eviscerate or eliminate the protections of Roe as a member of the Supreme Court.
THE ENVIRONMENT
The Sum of Alito Fears
Grist
Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito has enviros worried. Find out why.
Halloween Supreme Court Nomination is a Scary Choice
Earthjustice
Judge Alito could undermine laws that safeguard health and environment. Includes a sampling of Alito's problematic rulings on the environment.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
Report Opposing Confirmation of Samuel A. Alito Jr. as Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court (PDF)
Americans United for Separation of Church and State*
A detailed description of Judge Alito’s troubling legal record on church-state issues.
CIVIL RIGHTS
Alito's Disagreement With the "One Person, One Vote" Rulings
Leadership Conference on Civil Rights
While applying for a promotion within the Department of Justice in 1985, Supreme Court nominee Judge Alito wrote that he had been motivated by his opposition to the Warren Court's rulings on legislative reapportionment. Because those rulings first articulated the fundamental civil rights principle of "one person, one vote," and paved the way for major strides in the effort to secure equal voting rights for all Americans, his opposition to them raises questions about his fitness to serve on the Supreme Court.
Report on the Nomination of Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr. to the Supreme Court of the United States (PDF)
NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund
Addresses Alito's record on federalism, affirmative action, employment discrimination, voting rights, criminal justice and more.
DISABILITY RIGHTS
Judge Alito is a Threat to People with Disabilities
Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law*
Having sat on a federal court of appeals for 15 years, Judge Alito has a record of decisions hostile to disability rights.
The Supreme Court and Disability Rights
People for the American Way*
Learn more about specific ways a more conservative Supreme Court could undermine disability rights.
GUN CONTROL
Backgrounder on Supreme Court Nominee Samuel Alito (PDF)
Violence Policy Center
A backgrounder on Supreme Court nominee Judge Samuel Alito. Application of Judge Alito’s unusual and extremely restrictive view of Congressional regulatory power could imperil virtually every federal law that currently regulates firearms, ammunition and explosives.
How Samuel Alito Took a No-Brainer Case and Stepped Way, Way out of the Mainstream
Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
In the machine gun case, United States v. Rybar, 103 F.3d 273 (3d Cir. 1996), the defendant, a federally licensed firearms dealer, had sold two illegal machine guns at a Pennsylvania gun show. Judge Alito argued that the machine gun ban violated the Commerce Claus. His unusual reading of the Commerce Clause was ridiculed by his colleagues on the bench.
GAY AND LESBIAN RIGHTS
Background: The Record of Supreme Court Nominee Samuel Alito
Human Rights Campaign
A beginning breakdown of the record of Samuel Alito on issues that could have an impact on gay and transgendered Americans.
The 40 Most Important American Lawsuits Affecting the Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and HIV-positive People Over the Past 40 Years
Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund
As public opinion on issues facing LGBT people and those with HIV have shifted over the years, the struggle for full equality remains largely in the courts. These 40 cases show some of the most significant victories and losses for LGBT people and those with HIV over the last 40 years.
TAKE ACTION
Act Now to Block Alito
Feminist Majority Foundation*
Call your Senators and tell them that you care, that our nation cannot go backwards on women’s rights and civil rights, and that you expect them to vote no on Alito.
Urge Senators to Oppose Alito
CivilRights.org*
If confirmed, Samuel Alito would dramatically alter the balance of the Supreme Court, shifting it to the right for generations to come. Urge your Senators to reject his nomination.
Educate Your Friends and Neighbors
NARAL Pro-Choice America
Help spread the word about the threat Judge Alito poses to the right to choose with downloadable flyers and tips about flyering, crowd canvassing, pub crawls and more.
Be a Part of Freedom Winter '06
Feminist Majority Foundation*
Come to Washington DC and join Freedom Winter '06 from January 3, 2006 to January 20, 2006, or anytime in between to help lead the fight to save the Supreme Court. Commit a week or more of your winter vacation to call activists, visit Senators' offices, plan educational events and raise public awareness.
Call Local Radio Shows
People for the American Way*
Call a local radio show to express your concerns about out-of-the-mainstream Judge Samuel Alito's nomination to the Supreme Court.
WHAT'S AT STAKE?
What's At Stake
CivilRights.org*
Highlights a number of matters of tremendous importance to the civil rights community that currently hang in the balance, given the sharply divided makeup of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Important 5-4 Decisions of the Supreme Court (PDF)
Alliance for Justice
A sample of recent cases resolved by a 5-4 margin that highlight some of the key issues that now narrowly divide the Court.
FUN & GAMES
It's a Less Wonderful Life: SaveTheCourt.orgPeople For the American Way*
View this flash video about what life could be like with a right-wing conservative Supreme Court, pass it on to your friends, and sign the petition opposing Alito.
American Progress Action Fund*
Show America that Alito’s America is not your America. Take a picture and send your message on this cool new photo petition. You can also search for pictures of people from your state, check out hip celebrity shots, rank photos and make comments. Plus, there are great prizes for creative entries!
Alito's America
American Progress Action Fund*
Check out short videos mimicking the news clips we might see following Supreme Court decisions on a host of issues -- from gun control to privacy -- should Judge Samuel Alito be confirmed.
Supreme Court Watch Podcast
Alliance for Justice
Download the latest news about the Alito nomination directly to your iPod.
Interactive Guide to the Nomination Process
People for the American Way*
Not sure what's next for Samuel Alito? Check out this interactive guide that will walk you through each step of the process.
STAY INFORMED
Get all the latest news and views about Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito at the sites below.
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SaveOurCourts.org, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights and the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund
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*Denotes Moving Ideas' members or partners
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