Movement and Counter-Movement Courts and Political Backlash

Courts and Backlash Brown v Board of Education (1954) Miranda v. Arizona (1966) Furman v. Georgia (1972) Roe v. Wade (1973)

Why do Courts play such a primary role in cycles of protest and counter-protest?

Where are Courts in our Model of Social Movements? Injustice Trigger Claim / Narrative (story) Communication Repertoires Outcomes Counter claim Counter Movement

Baer V. Miike (1993) Hawaii Supreme Court was the first to rule that excluding same-sex couples from marriage was discrimination in violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1965. Spurred campaign in Hawaii to amend the state’s constitution prohibiting gay marriage (1998) Congress passes Defense of Marriage Act (1996)

Baker v. Vermont (1999) Landmark case signaling the first time that court ordered a state legislature to grant same sex couples the same rights and benefits of married couples.

Goodridge v. Department of Pubic Health (2003) Massachusetts Supreme Court becomes the first court in the nation to rule that gay marriage was constitutionally protected by virtue of the equl protection clause of the 14 amendment.

Perry v. Schwartznegger (2008) California Supreme Court held that limiting marriage to opposite sex couples violated the California Constitution.

Perry v. Schwartznegger (2008) California Supreme Court held that limiting marriage to opposite sex couples violated the California Constitution. Proposition 8 held that “only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.”