Red Mass draws 3 Supreme Court justices, protesters to DC cathedral

People were protesting outside the Red Mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle. (WTOP/Melissa Howell)
People were protesting outside the Red Mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle. (WTOP/Melissa Howell)
Protesters outside the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle were speaking out against President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. (WTOP/Melissa Howell)
Celebrants enter the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle for the 66th Red Mass, before the U.S. Supreme Court’s new term opens, in Washington, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018. The court’s session opens Monday, Oct. 1. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Celebrants enter the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle for the 66th Red Mass, before the U.S. Supreme Court’s new term opens, in Washington, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018. The court’s session opens Monday, Oct. 1. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Protesters demonstrate across the street from the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle during the 66th Red Mass, in Washington, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018. The court’s session opens Monday, Oct. 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Protesters demonstrate across the street from the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle during the 66th Red Mass, in Washington, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018. The court’s session opens Monday, Oct. 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Sylvia Kiep, of Springfield, Va., kisses the hand of Attorney General Jeff Sessions as he arrives at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle for the 66th Red Mass before the U.S. Supreme Court’s new term opens in Washington, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018. The court’s session opens Monday, Oct. 1. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Sylvia Kiep, of Springfield, Va., kisses the hand of Attorney General Jeff Sessions as he arrives at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle for the 66th Red Mass before the U.S. Supreme Court’s new term opens in Washington, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018. The court’s session opens Monday, Oct. 1. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
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People were protesting outside the Red Mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle. (WTOP/Melissa Howell)

WASHINGTON — At a Northwest D.C. cathedral Sunday, an annual Mass celebrating members of the legal profession brought in members of the Supreme Court ahead of the opening of the high court’s term and protesters speaking out against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Clarence Thomas, Justice Stephen Breyer and Attorney General Jeff Sessions attended the 66th annual Red Mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, The Associated Press reported. Solicitor General Noel Francisco, the administration’s top Supreme Court lawyer, also attended the Mass.

Outside of the cathedral, protesters lined the street, calling attention to Kavanaugh and the allegations of sexual misconduct.

Senate Republicans had hoped to confirm Kavanaugh before the opening of the Supreme Court’s term Monday. But a vote on Kavanaugh’s nomination has been delayed following allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman in high school in the 1980s. The FBI is now investigating.

Becca Tanen was among the protesters hoisting “Stop Kavanaugh” signs. She said she was there to support survivors of sexual assault and to denounce Kavanaugh.

“I’m here to stand with all women, but especially survivors,” Tanen said.

Jesse Rabinowitz stood alongside Tanen and argued that victims of Catholic sexual assault are believed, but a different narrative is taking place when it comes to accusations against Kavanaugh.

“Just like when after Anita Hill brought in the year of the woman, that’s what’s going to happen this year,” Rabinowitz said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Melissa Howell

Melissa Howell joined WTOP Radio in March 2018 and is excited to cover stories that matter across D.C., as well as in Maryland and Virginia. 

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