On Thursday, May 1, the Chagrin Gateway Dems were honored to have as our speaker, Judge Gayle Williams-Byers. Judge Williams-Byers used her warm and resounding voice to tell us that while May 1st may be “Law Day” it should be “Rule of Law Day” as NO ONE is above the law.

She spoke about challenges to the constitution, e.g., birthright citizenship and presidential term limits that require constitutional amendments, not executive orders to change. She addressed the difference between arresting a corrupt judge and arresting a judge with whom you do not agree.

Ultimately it comes down to the vital importance of an Independent Judiciary making decisions without fear or favor. She advised us that suing over wrongful executive orders and police actions are right and necessary and the main thing that will stop wrongful actions. Therefore, a good place to aim donations would be the ACLU and Southern Poverty Law Center

She reminded us that Dante wrote, in his Inferno that “ the hottest places in Hell are reserved for those who remain neutral in times of moral crisis” and she dared us to stay out of the Inferno.

**Judge Gayle Williams-Byers is a Judicial Fellow of the National Judicial College; retired Administrative and Presiding Judge of the South Euclid Municipal Court in South Euclid, Ohio and former Assistant County Prosecutor for Cuyahoga County and co-host of the podcast Next Witness Please.

— Lyn Newman