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Freedom of Assembly

Texas Governor Greg Abbott speaks next to the American flag | Bob Daemmrich/Zuma Press/Newscom

Campus Free Speech

Texas Legislators Say They Are Protecting Free Speech on Campus by Banning 'Expressive Activities' at Night

A bill awaiting the governor's signature represents a stark reversal from a 2019 law aimed at promoting "uninhibited debate."

Jacob Sullum | 6.19.2025 3:20 PM

The activist DeRay Mckesson, in his trademark blue Patagonia vest, waves from a stage in front of American flags. | Bob Daemmrich/ZUMA Press/Newscom

Free Speech

Louisiana Federal Court Affirms the Right To Peacefully Protest

Nearly eight years after it was filed, the vexatious lawsuit against protester DeRay Mckesson has been dismissed with prejudice.

Joe Lancaster | 7.12.2024 4:15 PM

A large gaggle of blue-clad police officers barricade the entrance to the NatCon Brussels 2 conference at the gray-walled Claridge event space in Belgium. | Paul Coleman

Free Speech

Brussels Mayor Attempts To Shut Down National Conservatism Conference by Force

It's a good thing opponents of the move can appeal to the liberal values of free speech, free association, and equal treatment under law.

Stephanie Slade | 4.16.2024 5:05 PM

Black Lives Matter leader DeRay Mckesson at 2019 "Summit on Race" | Bob Daemmrich/Polaris/Newscom

First Amendment

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.

Jacob Sullum | 10.11.2023 12:01 AM

A red marker draws an X over a group of protesters | Illustration: Lex Villena; Richard Thomas, Robertzsombori

First Amendment

This Tennessee Town Claims Restricting Protests Helps 'Facilitate' the First Amendment

A new ordinance in Franklin will restrict evening and weekend protests and subject violators to misdemeanor charges.

Fiona Harrigan | 8.30.2022 3:44 PM

Breonna-Taylor-protest-Louisville-9-28-21-Newscom-cropped | Amy Katz/Zuma Press/Newscom

First Amendment

The Kentucky Bill That Would Criminalize Words That Offend Cops Also Would Authorize Arrests for Distributing Water Bottles

The heavy-handed measure, a direct response to the protests provoked by the shooting of Breonna Taylor, looks like an attempt to deter constitutionally protected activity.

Jacob Sullum | 3.12.2021 12:05 PM

zumaglobalten112395 | Preston Ehrler/ZUMA Press/Newscom

Coronavirus

Pennsylvania Lockdown Lawsuit Victory May Cure a Plague of Pandemic Restrictions

“The Constitution sets certain lines that may not be crossed, even in an emergency.”

J.D. Tuccille | 9.18.2020 4:50 PM

Protester in Scotland with COVID-1984 in gummies on her face | Andrew Milligan/ZUMA Press/Newscom

Coronavirus

The COVID-19 Pandemic Keeps Proving Deadly to Liberty

As the pandemic rages on, nominally free countries are sliding down a path blazed by authoritarian regimes.

J.D. Tuccille | 9.11.2020 1:00 PM

upiphotostwo746712 | SHAWN THEW/UPI/Newscom

Reason Roundup

It Wasn't Tear Gas. It Was a Gaseous Substance That Causes Tears.

Plus: Protest updates, COVID-19 upates, a surge in gun sales, and more...

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 6.3.2020 9:56 AM

joseph-chan-M381Eor6p0E-unsplash | Joseph Chan, Unsplash

Hong Kong

A Huge Blow to Hongkongers' Freedoms

New legislation proposed in Beijing signals the likely end of the "one country, two systems" policy that has allowed Hong Kong to flourish.

Liz Wolfe | 5.22.2020 2:55 PM

Free Speech

"Car Parades, Cruises, and Joyriding" "Are NOT Prohibited," at Least in Osage County, Kansas

And they would, I think, be peaceable assembly protected by the First Amendment, even in a time of epidemic.

Eugene Volokh |The Volokh Conspiracy | 4.22.2020 11:30 PM

Crime

Judge Rejects Freedom of Assembly/Association Challenge to New Mexico Limit on In-Person Worship

Eugene Volokh |The Volokh Conspiracy | 4.18.2020 2:59 PM

EVqG54gXQA03i4m | @stevegrubershow/Twitter

Reason Roundup

It Figures That Michigan Is Among the First States To See Protests Against Social Distancing

Plus: Puerto Rico criminalizes fake news about COVID-19, wide geographic disparity in U.S. income growth, and more...

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 4.16.2020 9:30 AM

polspphotos673040 | Jonathan Alpeyrie/Polaris/Newscom

Reason Roundup

Religious Freedom Clashes With Public Health Enforcers

Plus: Signal will leave the U.S. market if EARN IT passes, Justin Amash blasts Michigan shutdown orders, and more...

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 4.13.2020 9:50 AM

Volokh Conspiracy

Mississippi City Bans Drive-in Church Services

That violates the Mississippi Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and probably the freedom of assembly and association.

Eugene Volokh |The Volokh Conspiracy | 4.10.2020 3:15 PM

Free Speech

N.H. Court Rejects Challenge to Ban on Gatherings of 50 or More People

Eugene Volokh |The Volokh Conspiracy | 3.26.2020 4:25 PM

Freedom of Assembly

Lawsuit Challenging N.H. Order Banning Gatherings of 50 or More People

Eugene Volokh |The Volokh Conspiracy | 3.20.2020 2:21 PM

VCDL gun rally | VCDL website

2nd Amendment

Gun Rights Groups Sue Over Virginia Governor's 'Emergency' Ban

The governor fears a gun-rights rally might turn violent; a judge refuses to stop him from barring weapons from the demonstration.

Brian Doherty | 1.17.2020 4:20 PM

reasonburningmanfoter-1200x675 | mr. nightshade on Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND

Burning Man

Burning Man Sues the Federal Government Over Permitting Fees and a Sketchy Appeals Process

A federal lawsuit demands that the government honor its appeals process regarding the costs it imposes on the annual event.

Brian Doherty | 12.18.2019 3:05 PM

Screen Shot 2019-09-27 at 10.47.38 AM | PassionTimes

Hong Kong

American Woman Tells Hongkongers 'Safety Is More Important Than Freedom'

Under Chinese authoritarianism, they'll have neither.

Liz Wolfe | 9.27.2019 12:30 PM

zumaglobalseven783542 | Paul Christian Gordon/ZUMA Press/Newscom

Conservatism

Don't Destroy the Constitution To Fight Drag Queen Reading Hour

Putting up with some drag-queen storytelling seems like a small price to pay to live in a relatively free society.

Steven Greenhut | 9.20.2019 8:00 AM

Hong Kong Joshua Wong | The Guardian

Hong Kong

Pro-Democracy Activists Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow Arrested in Hong Kong

"Hong Kong is a place without basic political and economic freedom," Wong tells Reason.

Liz Wolfe | 8.30.2019 2:25 PM

Large image on homepages

First Amendment

Is the First Amendment Flourishing or Floundering in the 21st Century?: Podcast

Nadine Strossen, Eugene Volokh, and Stephanie Slade discuss freedom of speech, assembly, and religion at Reason's 50th anniversary.

Nick Gillespie | 11.23.2018 9:30 AM

Large image on homepages | John Rudoff/Sipa USA/Newscom

Protests

Portland City Council Rejects Mayor's Constitutionally Dubious 'Emergency Ordinance' on Protests

Believe it or not, authorities can maintain the peace while also respecting the First Amendment.

Joe Setyon | 11.15.2018 11:10 AM

Large image on homepages | Fibonacci Blue on Foter.com / CC BY

Freedom of Assembly

Government Drops Charges in Inauguration Protest Prosecution

Defense attorney slams the attempt to prosecute for being part of the protest, which raised First Amendment concerns, for being a "waste of time and a waste of taxpayers' resources."

Brian Doherty | 7.6.2018 7:55 PM

Freedom of Assembly

Harvard Commits to Ban on Single-Sex Organizations, But Will Allow 'Gender-Focused' Female Groups

Female groups are allowed to remain "gender focused," while male groups are penalized.

Kayla Stetzel | 2.5.2018 2:05 PM

Large image on homepages | John Rudoff/Polaris/Newscom

Freedom of Assembly

After Violent Attack, Portland Mayor Calls for Abandoning First Amendment

For the millionth time, there's no "hate speech" exemption.

Scott Shackford | 5.30.2017 12:32 PM

Large image on homepages | Pax Ahimsa Gethen / Wikimedia Commons

Protests

How Important Are Nonviolent Protests and Media Criticism in Preserving Democracy? Depends Which Party You Belong to!

Striking findings from Pew Research

Lindsay Marchello | 3.7.2017 5:00 PM

Large image on homepages

Millennials

OSU Threatens to Expel Student Activists for Making Campus Staff Feel Unsafe

"The people in this building have a right to a safe environment ... where their jobs won't be interrupted," OSU officials say.

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 4.15.2016 10:33 AM

Large image on homepages | Roosh V/Facebook

Harassment

All Anti-Feminist Talk Would Be Criminal 'Hate Speech' If U.K. Activists Get Their Way

Um, guys, a government allowed to whimsically bar people from coming to the country is sure not going to stop with preventing pickup artists from entering.

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 2.3.2016 5:35 PM

Large image on homepages

Politics

A Swingers Club Is Rebranded a Church To Evade Local Busybodies

"It will have the same rules that many churches observe" except adultery is OK.

Amanda Winkler | 5.28.2015 3:05 PM

Large image on homepages | TheChowTrain.com

Politics

Another Infuriating Crackdown on Sharing Food With the Homeless

San Antonio targets a good Samaritan, because rules are rules.

Baylen Linnekin | 4.18.2015 8:00 AM

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