Press release from Asheville attorneys Philip Roth and Niki Foster:
Since President Eisenhower first marked May 1st as “National Law Day” in 1958, May 1st has
served as the annual occasion to honor and rededicate the principles of government under the rule of
law. This year, in the face of unprecedented challenges to the rule of law, Asheville attorneys will
gather for a non-partisan rally to celebrate Law Day at the Pack Square Pavilion Main Stage on May 1st
from 12-1 pm.As part of the event featuring speakers on the rule of law and the need for judicial
independence, local lawyers will retake their oath to defend the Constitution of both the United States
and North Carolina. The oath is the cornerstone of the legal profession, and it represents the promise to
support the Constitution. It encompasses a duty to defend the Constitution, protect constitutional rights,
ensure due process, and oppose laws or actions that undermine it. By retaking the oath, local attorneys
will be reiterating their role as guardians of the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law.Asheville will join cities across the country standing for the Rule of Law including New York,
Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Austin, TX, San Francisco, and elsewhere. For a full listing of
participating cities and to learn more about the national event sponsored by Lawyers for Good
Government (L4GG) and others, see https://lawdayofaction.org/.Co-organizer and Asheville attorney Philip Roth explains: “When attorneys and judges across
the country stand together on May 1st, we send a powerful message that the rule of law must be
protected. This isn’t a matter of politics; rather it’s about principles that are essential to validating
government action, preserving an even-handed justice system, and protecting the right to vote.”The public is invited to attend and express its commitment to these critical foundations of
democracy.
