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For Immediate Release
Contact: media@aclu.org

ACLU Comments On Retirement Of Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens

NEW YORK

United States Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens today announced his retirement from the Court after serving for 35 years.

The following can be attributed to Steven R. Shapiro, Legal Director of the American Civil Liberties Union:

"The nation owes Justice John Paul
Stevens its deep gratitude for 35 years of distinguished service on the
United States Supreme Court. Justice Stevens was widely perceived as a
maverick during his early years on the Court and just as widely
acknowledged as a master tactician during the latter stages of his
career. From beginning to end, however, Justice Stevens has been an
independent thinker who has been fiercely committed to the rule of the
law and the Court's role in preserving it. Without his leadership, the
Bush administration might well have succeeded in its effort to deprive
Guantanamo detainees of any rights and any access to U.S. courts.

"The civil liberties legacy of
Justice Stevens is deep and broad. He has promoted racial equality,
supported gay rights and defended a woman's right to choose. He wrote
the first decision recognizing free speech rights on the Internet and
just a few years ago concluded that the death penalty is
unconstitutional.

"Justice Stevens has earned his retirement, but he will be sorely missed."

The American Civil Liberties Union was founded in 1920 and is our nation's guardian of liberty. The ACLU works in the courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to all people in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States.

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