Supreme Court Disruption Brings Probation For Alexandria, McLean Women

WASHINGTON, DC — Women who spoke out against the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade reversal during oral arguments of another case were given probation for their protest actions, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

Three women disrupted the oral arguments for Bittner v. United States regarding the Bank Secrecy Act on Nov. 2, 2022, according to federal prosecutors. Emily Archer Paterson, 45, of McLean, Nicole Elizabeth Enfield, 44, of Alexandria, and Rolande Baker, 71, of Tucson, Arizona, pleaded guilty on Jan. 13 to speeches and objectionable language in the Supreme Court Building.

According to prosecutors, the three women spread out in the courtroom and spoke out during arguments. Paterson was the first to speak out against the Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, which reversed the Roe v. Wade decision that guaranteed federal abortion rights.

Prosecutors say the disruption paused the high court while Paterson was escorted out of the room. When arguments resumed, Baker disrupted in a similar manner. Once Baker was removed, Enfield caused a third disruption.

"Interrupting Supreme Court proceedings, even non-violently and briefly, is not First-Amendment protected activity: it is a crime and must be treated as such," said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves in a statement.

The one year of probation included an order to stay away from the U.S. Supreme Court building and grounds.

According to Bloomburg Law, the Supreme Court hadn't seen a protest in the courtroom since 2015. The courtroom had been closed to the public during the Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision due to COVID-19.