OUTRAGE TODAY AT the words of Governor Walter Adams, whose incendiary statement regarding Chief Judge Fargo and his controversial Judges programme—which he likened to a military coup—appears to have stirred a hornet’s nest amongst activists and concerned citizens throughout the State of New York. As a small group of protestors took to the streets around Central Park in support of the Governor’s position, the new Judges nevertheless continued to enforce the law all across the city, appearing to work in concert with NYPD precincts to bring criminals to justice.

Chief Judge Eustace Fargo was unavailable for comment, but Governor Adams’s statement has provoked a response from the White House, with the Communications Secretary claiming the President remains in ‘full support’ of the Judges programme and the ‘surety and protection it offers our citizens.’ “The streets,” he went on, “have never felt so safe.”

NYPD Commissioner Paul Donner appeared to echo the President’s sentiments: “There is no denying the impact of the Judges. Arrests are up, unsolved cases are down. Homicides are in decline. Provided the Judges continue to co-operate with the NYPD, I believe they can be a force for good in our city.”

Anti-Judge sentiment appears to be growing amongst local citizens, however, many of whom feel emboldened by the Governor’s words. “What they represent is nothing short of the erosion of liberty,” said Josiah Mainwaring, an AI specialist who was down on the front line of the pickets this afternoon along with over a thousand other like-minded protestors. “Where’s the burden of proof? The right to a fair trial? If one of these so-called ‘Judges’ doesn’t like the look of you, you’re done for, right? You could be staring down the barrel of a gun for nothing so much as looking at them the wrong way, and they don’t have to answer to anyone. What makes them so special? It ain’t right.”

Referring there, of course, to the Judges’ right to carry out sentencing on the spot for all observed crimes, including the lawful execution of any citizens deemed to have committed a capital offence.

The protests are expected to continue through into tomorrow, as more citizens join the gathered throng near Central Park to raise their placards against what they’re calling ‘the injustice of the Judges.’

In other news, citizens are advised that a fierce storm is raging over the Atlantic Ocean, and is expected to hit these shores within the next few days…