Law Day events held throughout California

Thousands of lawyers throughout the United States took part in Law Day events Thursday, with protests against recent Trump administration actions targeting the judiciary and the legal profession a key theme.

Established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958, Law Day is observed on May 1 and throughout the month of May. The day recognizes the importance of the rule of law in American society.

Many participants who spoke Thursday highlighted what they claim is the contrast between this theme and the Trump administration's recent actions. In recent weeks, Trump and his allies have ramped up its confrontation with the judiciary and the legal profession, appearing to flout some judge's orders or threatening to try to impeach them over orders that temporarily blocked the administration's actions or the president's executive orders.

In Los Angeles, Dolly M. Gee, Chief Judge of the Central District of California, spoke to a large group of lawyers and members of the public in the plaza of the First Street Federal Courthouse about their role in protecting judicial and legal profession independence at a time when such subjects are being threatened.

"Remember that all judges take an oath to faithfully and impartially support and defend the Constitution without fear or favor. But we in the judiciary do not speak publicly about our decisions or cases or defend ourselves when we are under attack. Our written rulings speak for us," Gee said prior to administering a symbolic retaking of the attorney's oath.

"We therefore rely on you, members of the bar, you who are officers of the court sworn to defend and support the constitution, you who are part of a noble and honorable profession to raise your voices clearly and loudly in defense of the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law," she added.

In a speech to attorneys gathered at San Francisco's Law Day of Action event, San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu likened the role of attorneys to that of the Jedi knights in the "Star Wars" franchise.

"Courtrooms are where we here, and only those of us who have sworn an oath as attorneys, can act. At this moment in history, we are the Jedi knights," Chiu said.

Chiu also said that attorneys were the "legal light sabers" who can "defend our communities, can defend our constitution, can cut through the lies, can cut through the chaos and can stop President Trump."

At a rally outside the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Courthouse in Oakland, Alameda County Public Defender Brendon Woods told the crowd that the Trump administration had "no respect for the rule of law."

"This administration has no respect for the rights that protect you and I," Woods said. "Now you may disagree with regard to whether those rights are implemented correctly or fairly or properly, but they still exist, and it incumbent upon us to hold people in power, to make sure that they respect and understand those rights."