Happy Monday! Here are some recent First Amendment headlines: San Francisco’s Board of Advisors passed a resolution this month designating the National Rifle Association (NRA) a domestic terrorist organization. Moreover, the resolution encouraged the city to limit any direct or indirect business it might conduct with the NRA. While the city’s mayor has yet to … Continue reading NEWSFLASH! 9/2-9/16
Another semester has begun, we have a new writing staff, and we’re excited to bring you the latest First Amendment scholarship! Here are some recent First Amendment headlines: In 2017, former Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin sued the New York Times for defamation after the newspaper published an editorial suggesting that actions taken by Palin’s political … Continue reading NEWSFLASH! 8/5-9/2
The Knight First Amendment Institute recently filed a lawsuit against President Trump alleging that he violated the First Amendment when he blocked seven Twitter users from following his account after they criticized his administration and its policies. The suit argued that Trump’s social media account is a “public forum” under the First Amendment and thus … Continue reading NEWSFLASH! 7/8-8/5
A California lawmaker has introduced a bill prohibiting a person or entity from “knowingly or recklessly distributing deceptive audio or visual media of [a political candidate] with the intent to injure the candidate’s reputation or to deceive a voter into voting for or against the candidate.” The proposed law comes in response to the increased … Continue reading NEWSFLASH! 6/24-7/8
In a landmark decision handed down last week, the Supreme Court ruled that a 40-foot Christian cross located on public land in Bladensburg, Maryland does not violate the separation of church and state. The 7-2 Court was highly fractured in its ruling; five concurring opinions were written. Justice Alito, writing for the plurality, argued that … Continue reading NEWSFLASH! 6/10-6/24
By: Clarke Martin You’d be hard-pressed to find an attorney who would characterize their client’s membership in a gang (street, motorcycle, prison, or otherwise) as a “good fact.” But what is a gang and why is being part of one such a bad omen for charges and prosecutions to come? Social scientists note that gangs … Continue reading What’s in a Gang? That Which We Call a Gang By Any Other Name Would Smell As Sweet.
We're nearing the first day of summer! Here is some First Amendment news to begin the new season! As was noted in an earlier Newsflash!, a family bakery in Oberlin, Ohio brought a libel lawsuit against Oberlin College earlier this year. An altercation between one of the bakery’s white employees and a black patron resulted … Continue reading NEWSFLASH! 5/27-6/10
Last week, Julian Assange was indicted on 17 violations of the Espionage Act, a federal law that prohibits interference with United States military operations and support for enemies in times of war. In 2010, Assange published secret government documents on his website, Wikileaks, and now faces federal prosecution. Scholars have noted that the Espionage Act … Continue reading NEWSFLASH! 5/13-5/27
By: Olivia Perry Vice President Pence’s wife, Karen, recently made the news for accepting a part-time teaching position at a Christian private school with a controversial anti-LGBT stance. The school makes its stance very clear. Specifically, it requires prospective employees to disavow gay marriage and the trans community in a pledge: “I understand that the … Continue reading Discrimination 101: Vouchers, LGBT Students, and the First Amendment
Happy Monday! Here is your latest First Amendment News! The ACLU has filed a lawsuit against Department of Homeland Security alleging that border agents are warrantlessly searching travelers’ electronic devices in violation of their Fourth and First Amendment rights. In a motion for summary judgement, the organization claims that such searches have the potential to chill speech because … Continue reading NEWSFLASH! 4/29-5/13
