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Norton Gets Response from Supreme Court Marshal to Letter Requesting Removal of Bike Racks Around Court Grounds

July 8, 2022

A portion of the bike racks have been removed and those remaining will be removed this weekend

WASHINGTON, D.C. โ€“ Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today received a written response to a letter she sent yesterday to Supreme Court Marshal Gail A. Curley requesting immediate removal of the bike racks blocking the sidewalks around the Court grounds. In her response, Curley said that the bike racks on Constitution Avenue between Maryland Avenue and Second Street NE have been removed and that all other bike racks will be removed from the grounds this weekend.

"Because anti-climb fencing is already in place around the Supreme Court grounds, the bike racks serve no security purpose and force District of Columbia residents, workers and visitors to use the street, creating a safety hazard," Norton said. "I appreciate the speedy response from Marshal Curley, which shows respect for the people who were being forced to risk using the street to get around the bike racks on the sidewalk. I will be watching to ensure the remaining bike racks are removed this weekend."

The response letter follows.

July 8, 2022

The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton

United States House of Representatives

2136 Rayburn House Building

Washington, DC 20515-1501

Dear Representative Norton,

I am writing in response to your letter dated July 7, 2022. In your letter, you urge the Supreme Court to remove bicycle racks along sidewalks on the Supreme Court grounds, and state that the anti-climb fencing on the grounds should remain only as long as necessary.

We have removed bicycle racks on Constitution Avenue between Maryland Avenue and Second Street, N.E., and we will remove all other bicycle racks from the grounds this weekend.

The anti-climb fencing was installed pursuant to my authority under 40 U.S.C. ยง 6102 and Supreme Court Regulation Two in order to protect persons and property and to maintain order on the Supreme Court grounds. We will continue to assess the need for this security measure and will remove the fencing when it is no longer necessary.

Thank you very much for your attention to these issues.

Very truly yours,

Gail A. Curley

Marshal of the Court

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