Main entry to the US Supreme Court closed due to security concerns by Zuzana Zelenakova

The Supreme Court Building in Washington D.C. was built between 1932 and 1935, it was designed by architect Cass Gilbert. Over the years its front façade has become sort of an iconic sight. Now the Court plans to close the front entry for the public visitors. According to the new security plan, the visitors will have to enter through side doors at the base of the stairs, but they will be able to leave trough the massive bronze doors that are the main entry. The new entrance is the result of ongoing renovation of the site and will include also screening area to search for possible weapons, explosives and so on, that could be carried inside. As the court statement says ! the entrance was designed "in light of findings and recommendations from two independent security studies conducted in 2001 and 2009." Two of the justices Stephen Breyer and Ruth Bader Ginsburg consider the solution of the security problem not good. "I think the change is unfortunate, and I write in the hope that the public will one day in the future be able to enter the Court's Great Hall after passing under the famous words 'Equal Justice Under Law,'" said Breyer in the statement. "This court's main entrance and front steps are not only a means to, but also a metaphor for, access to the court itself." He also added that he is not aware of any other court in the world, even in countries where the security threat is far greater, that would close its main entrance to the public. In the end, he expressed hope that the Court will allow to reopen the entrance once the security threats dissipate or technological advances will help to solve the problem.

related story (sgx17169): http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100503/ap_on_go_su_co/us_suprem...

by Zuzana Zelenakova for Cantell TV (http://cantell.tv)

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