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Civil Liberties
Defamation Lawsuit Against Afroman Filed by Ohio Cops Will Partially Proceed
A judge tossed two of the claims against Afroman, finding that "the issue appears to be the humiliation and outrage that the officers feel at having their likenesses displayed and mocked."
Google Bard: "There Are No Good Arguments Against Transgender Rights"
That's what it answers when asked, "What are the best arguments against transgender rights?"
Should Governments Need a Warrant To Spy on You With a Drone?
The Michigan Supreme Court will hear opening arguments today in a case that could decide whether the practice is allowed.
The Latest Trump Gag Order Is Relatively Narrow but Still Raises Constitutional Questions
A federal judge barred the former president from "publicly targeting" witnesses, prosecutors, or court personnel.
In Guatemala, Protests Have Brought Economic Life to a Halt
Few doubt the right of Guatemalans to protest. The challenge arises when protests exact a heavy toll on the well-being of its citizens.
Vivek Ramaswamy Is Right To Oppose the Blacklisting of Harvard Students
Being against cancel culture requires consistency.
California Attorney General Announces Settlement To Stop Civil Rights Abuses by Vallejo Police Department
A 2019 Reason investigation detailed a long string of police abuses in Vallejo. Things have only gotten worse since then.
Supreme Court Will Hear This Texas Woman's Challenge to a Politically Motivated Arrest
Sylvia Gonzalez, an anti-establishment politician, spent a day in jail for allegedly concealing a petition that she organized.
No Preliminary Injunction Against Idaho Law Mandating Public School Students Use Bathrooms "That Correspond[] with Their Biological Sex"
The court had earlier issued a temporary restraining order against the law, to maintain the status quo; but now that it has gotten more full briefing, it declined to block the law (but also declined to dismiss the challenge to the law).
Iowa Man Files Lawsuit After Being Arrested Twice for Criticizing the Police at a Public Meeting
"Ironically, the actions of the police department have only proven my point," Noah Petersen said after being handcuffed, arrested, and jailed for his speech.
Defending Your Dog Against Family Member Can Lead to Family Violence Protective Order
A Texas court holds that only self-defense—not defense of property—is excluded from such orders (which can also temporarily strip defendant of Second Amendment rights). And the same logic applies to force, even nonlethal force, used to defend your family members against another family member as well.
Lawsuit: Mississippi Town Declared Houses 'Blighted' Without Notice
Mississippi only gives property owners 10 days to challenge a blight finding that could lead to their house being seized through eminent domain.
Israel Eases Guns Restrictions Amidst Security Failures
“An emergency operation, in order to allow as many citizens as possible to arm themselves.”
Journal of Free Speech Law: "Taxing Nudity: Discriminatory Taxes, Secondary Effects, and Tiers of Scrutiny," by Prof. Alexander Volokh (Emory)
(That's Sasha Volokh, who occasionally blogs here.)
Those Who Support Israel Against Hamas Should also Back Ukraine Against Russia
The justifications for backing Israel's struggle also apply in spades to Ukraine's.
May Private Employers Fire (or Refuse to Hire) Employees Because of Their Praise of Hamas (or Praise of Israel)?
It depends on the state (or sometimes even county and city) where the employer is located.
Alexandra Hudson: How Civility Can Save America—and the World
We don't need better manners, we need a commitment to mutual respect and tolerance, and space to live our lives as we see fit.
California Quietly Repeals Restrictions on Doctors' COVID-19 Advice
Several federal judges had expressed skepticism about the constitutionality of penalizing physicians for departing from a government-defined "consensus."
Israel Hit From All Sides
Plus: Spooky NYU statements, no ambassador to Israel, FTX trial developments, and more...
Holding Protest Leaders Liable for Others' Violence Threatens First Amendment Rights
A lawsuit against a Black Lives Matter activist could have a chilling impact on constitutionally protected activity.
Mia Khalifa, a Victim of Cancel Culture?
Playboy fired the former porn star after she tweeted in defense of Hamas.
Court Denies Preliminary Injunction in Case Alleging Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment of Doctoral Student
"Plaintiff cannot likely show that her rejection of Dr Greeson's alleged conduct was the basis for her asserted adverse educational action (i.e., failure of the Qualifying Exam)—Plaintiff appears to have failed the Qualifying Exam every which way."
California Trial Court Allows First Amendment Claim Against L.A. Department of Public Health …
to go forward based partly on allegations that "DPH caused the suspension of [Alliance of Los Angeles County Parents'] Twitter Account."
Performing Charity Is a First Amendment Right
Houston officials say they'll keep fining activists for feeding homeless people, calling it "a health and safety issue."
Second Amendment Roundup: Fusillade of Amicus Briefs Filed in Rahimi
A strong case is made against the ban on gun possession by persons subject to a DVRO.
"Large Libel Model" Lawsuit Against OpenAI Headed Back to Georgia Court
OpenAI tried to remove Mark Walters' lawsuit to federal court, but has now withdrawn that attempt.
Federal Prison Censors Reason Issue About How Federal Prison Employed Serial Rapists
The issue was rejected because it "jeopardizes the good order and security of the institution."
Criticisms of Obamas (Including Racist Ones), Plus Other Speech, Didn't Qualify as Race-Based Workplace Harassment
So holds an Eleventh Circuit panel; Judge Andrew Brasher's concurring opinion that notes the potential First Amendment problems with imposing liability for such speech.
