Maryland

THE POST'S VIEW

Opinion Enforce the anti-picketing law in Montgomery County

By the Editorial Board
July 14, 2022 at 3:13 p.m. EDT

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich’s refusal to enforce a local ordinance that bans the picketing of private residences has emboldened crowds to keep protesting outside Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh’s suburban home three weeks after he cast a decisive vote to overturn Roe v. Wade. Mr. Elrich’s reluctance to act is unfortunate — and he should reconsider his hands-off approach to protecting his high-profile constituents if protests that violate the county code take place. In welcome news, the Montgomery County Police Department reaffirmed Wednesday that “anyone violating the disorderly conduct statute may be subject to arrest.”

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Mr. Elrich is a staunch supporter of abortion rights, as is this Editorial Board. He has one set of constituents who are understandably and appropriately angry about the court’s action; they deserve the ability to exercise their First Amendment rights, as the county ordinance provides. But Mr. Elrich represents other constituents — three of the justices — who also possess the rights to feel safe and secure in their homes. One wonders whether Mr. Elrich, who is running for reelection in next Tuesday’s primary, would strike the same balance if the ideological tables were turned and he were more sympathetic to the views of those being targeted. (The Post has endorsed his opponent, businessman David Blair.)

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