Nicholas Christakis: How To End the Covid Pandemic
Misinformation and bad policy can only be defeated by robust, open debate in the public square.
Free Speech
Political Candidate Can't Sue Critics Pseudonymously, Under Seal, with Gag Order
"Plaintiff is an adult who chose to enter the political arena and now to file this litigation, asserting claims against Defendant as a result of Defendant's alleged statements and activities concerning Plaintiff and Plaintiff's political campaign."
Ban on Demonstrations Near South Dakota Capitol Likely Violates the First Amendment
The government had tried to shut down the 200-acre grounds for two months (including during a special session of the Legislature) for tree decoration.
Why Are the Media Treating 'Let's Go Brandon' Like Criminal Hate Speech?
The anti-Biden slogan is clearly protected by the First Amendment.
Academic Freedom Alliance Guidance Statement on Compelled Speech
Universities should not compel professors to affirm their belief of contested values
Realtors Group Hearing "Hate Speech" "Ethics Complaint" Against Pastor-Realtor …
for saying "LGBTQ+" "Pride" message is "against our biblical doctrine."
No Speech for Two Months in Front of the State Capitol: We're Decorating Trees
That can't be constitutional.
University of Florida Bans Professors From Testifying Against State Voting Law
"Outside activities that may pose a conflict of interest to the executive branch of the State of Florida create a conflict for the University of Florida," said the university in a statement.
Fourth Circuit Affirms: No Heckler's Veto; Fear of Violent Reaction to Speakers' Views Can't Justify …
denial of access to government property, even in a "nonpublic forum" or "limited public forum"
Cops Arrested Her for Exercising Her First Amendment Rights. They Got Qualified Immunity—but the Appeals Court Wasn't Having It.
"This is not just an obvious constitutional infringement—it's hard to imagine a more textbook violation of the First Amendment."
The Right to Ask Government Officials Questions
The Die Hard 2 Principle makes a special appearance.
School Board Sued for Censoring Residents and Erasing Criticism
The Pennsbury School Board is not only chilling speech, but also editing out community members’ critiques of the school board from YouTube videos of their meetings.
The Second Letter from the Academic Freedom Alliance to the University of Florida
A requirement that professors serving as expert witnesses against the state do so pro bono is still unconstitutional
The Supreme Court Declines To Determine if You Have a First Amendment Right To Film the Police
Denver cops received qualified immunity after performing a warrantless search of a man’s tablet and trying to delete a video he took of them beating a suspect.
May Beauty Pageants Limit Themselves to "Natural Born Women"?
Or for that matter to women, to unmarried women, or to women based on age, race, national origin, religion, citizenship (other-"natural-born" or otherwise), and the like?
Academic Freedom Alliance Letter on the University of Florida Situation
The university's effort to suppress expert testimony in a lawsuit against the state is contrary to academic freedom and the First Amendment
Univ. of Florida Blocks Professors' Expert Witness Work in Case Against Florida Government
A clear academic freedom violation, and likely a First Amendment violation as well: "A concept of loyalty that sweeps so broadly is not one that may legitimately trump compelling interests in speaking on matters of public concern."
The U.S. May Stand Alone as a Haven for Free Speech
The First Amendment shields Americans from censorship, but authoritarian legislation in Britain and Canada warns of what could be in store if that protection fails.
Libel Lawsuit Over Allegedly Forged Police Report Finding Plaintiff Had Assaulted His Girlfriend
"After Murray relocated to another state, he contacted the Oceanside Police Department. He then learned the police report he received from Eva-Zacchara had been altered to support her version of events. The real police report concluded 'no assault could be substantiated.'"
"Speaker Removed from Orange County [Fla.] School Board Meeting for Reading from a Book Found at School Library"
But note that the school board chair opined that the book shouldn't be in the library, either.
Cops Tase a Veteran's Service Dog During an Unconstitutional Arrest for Panhandling
The dog died after the man went to jail for exercising his First Amendment rights.
Popular Progressive Policies Helped Ruin Venezuela. They Won't Work Here Either.
The idea that massive government spending, hate speech laws, and gun control will improve America—when they failed horribly elsewhere—is a dangerous myth.
Eyewitnesses with Their Backs Turned
An interesting "harassment, intimidate, or bullying" investigation case from New Jersey schools. (Corrected version of a post initially put up yesterday.)
Court Allows Discovery of Funding Sources for Nunes Family Farms' Libel Lawsuit
against Esquire and Ryan Lizza.
Eyewitnesses with Their Backs Turned
An interesting “harassment, intimidate, or bullying” investigation case from New Jersey schools.
The Great Bumper Sticker Defacement Criminal Prosecution Fizzles
The smaller the teapot, the bigger the tempest.
Journal of Free Speech Law Public Conversations with Authors
The first will be with Jane Bambauer, Ash Bhagwat, Christopher Yoo, and me, this Tuesday at noon Pacific.
