By Bob Park, Chairman

Long before Alabama was admitted to the United States as a state, English was the language used by the great majority of the people living within it. Non-English speaking immigrants who moved to the state were expected to become fluent English speakers and assimilate, and almost all did. In recognition of these historical facts, the people of the State of Alabama voted overwhelmingly in 1990 to make English the official language of their stale.

In reaching their decision, the people of Alabama followed the example of many other states as well as numerous foreign nations that have official language laws. Yet, within a few years of the law’s enactment, a small group of activist lawyers working in concert with sympathetic U.S. Justice Department officials were able to nullify a key section of Alabama’s law through a class action suit brought by a single non-English speaking resident, Martha Sandoval.

Whatever other objections can be raised against it, one thing is clear. Sandoval v. Alexander (case no. 99-1908) represents a blatant repudiation of democracy and the fundamental right of American citizens to govern themselves.

Stripped of its legal rationale, Sandoval puts the convenience of a non-English speaking resident above the right of the people of Alabama to make a common sense decision about the language of their government. It compels them to adopt a de-facto policy of multilingualism against their will. And, if it is allowed to stand. Sandoval is certain to increase the public safety risk to Alabama motorists and impose additional taxes on Alabama taxpayers.

There is a word in the English language for this kind of government by judicial fiat. It is called tyranny. The founders of this republic would never have dreamed that such tyranny would result from the constitution they created to protect democratic government for the American people.

There is no question that Sandoval violates fundamental democratic principles that underlie the U.S. Constitution, and the U.S. Supreme Court should overturn it.