INSIDER
Judge weighs the merits of a lawsuit alleging 'Real Housewives' creators abused a cast member
Read full article: Judge weighs the merits of a lawsuit alleging 'Real Housewives' creators abused a cast memberThe lawyer for a former cast member of the “Real Housewives of New York” has told a judge that the First Amendment cannot shield the show's creators from a lawsuit alleging the show's participants were subjected to a “rotted workplace culture.”.
Florida law seeking to limit youth access to social media violates First Amendment rights, nonprofit says
Read full article: Florida law seeking to limit youth access to social media violates First Amendment rights, nonprofit saysIn a long-anticipated move, two internet-industry groups filed a constitutional challenge on Monday to a new Florida law aimed at keeping children off social media platforms.
Lawsuit filed against St. Johns County public safety ordinance claims it targets panhandlers, violates 1st Amendment
Read full article: Lawsuit filed against St. Johns County public safety ordinance claims it targets panhandlers, violates 1st AmendmentA federal lawsuit was filed Monday against St. Johns County for its ordinance on pedestrians and public rights-of-way.
TikTok compares itself to foreign-owned American news outlets as it fights forced sale or ban
Read full article: TikTok compares itself to foreign-owned American news outlets as it fights forced sale or banTikTok has pushed back on arguments that the popular social media platform is not shielded by the First Amendment.
Social media laws sent back to appeals courts
Read full article: Social media laws sent back to appeals courtsThe U.S. Supreme Court on Monday vacated conflicting rulings in challenges to Florida and Texas laws aimed at placing restrictions on social-media platforms, directing appeals courts to reconsider the decisions.
Secret Service head says RNC security plans not final as protesters allege free speech restrictions
Read full article: Secret Service head says RNC security plans not final as protesters allege free speech restrictionsThe head of the U.S. Secret Service says security plans for the Republican National Convention are still being determined as protesters blasted restrictions they claimed will violate free speech with just weeks until the event.
NRA can sue ex-NY official it says tried to blacklist it after Parkland shooting, Supreme Court says
Read full article: NRA can sue ex-NY official it says tried to blacklist it after Parkland shooting, Supreme Court saysThe Supreme Court has cleared the way for a National Rifle Association lawsuit against an ex-New York state official over claims she pressured companies to blacklist it following the 2018 Parkland, Florida, school shooting.
No hate crime charges filed against man who yelled racist slurs at Utah women's basketball team
Read full article: No hate crime charges filed against man who yelled racist slurs at Utah women's basketball teamA northern Idaho prosecutor won’t bring hate crime charges against an 18-year-old accused of shouting a racist slur at members of the Utah women’s basketball team while the team was in Idaho to attend the NCAA Tournament.
Judge rejects Trump's First Amendment challenge to indictment in Georgia election case
Read full article: Judge rejects Trump's First Amendment challenge to indictment in Georgia election caseThe judge overseeing the Georgia election interference case against Donald Trump and others has rejected arguments by the former president that the indictment was seeking to criminalize political speech protected by the First Amendment.
Trump's team cites First Amendment in contesting charges in Georgia election interference case
Read full article: Trump's team cites First Amendment in contesting charges in Georgia election interference caseA lawyer for former President Donald Trump has argued that the charges against Donald Trump in the Georgia election interference case seek to criminalize political speech that the First Amendment protects.
Requiring ugly images of smoking's harm on cigarettes won't breach First Amendment, court says
Read full article: Requiring ugly images of smoking's harm on cigarettes won't breach First Amendment, court saysA federal appeals court says a requirement that cigarette packs and advertising include graphic images demonstrating the effects of smoking does not violate the First Amendment.
Disney hopes prosecutor's free speech case against DeSantis helps its own lawsuit against governor
Read full article: Disney hopes prosecutor's free speech case against DeSantis helps its own lawsuit against governorDisney is hoping a recent decision bolstering a Florida prosecutor’s First Amendment case against Gov. Ron DeSantis helps its own free speech lawsuit against the governor.
Florida teachers file federal lawsuit against anti-pronoun law in schools
Read full article: Florida teachers file federal lawsuit against anti-pronoun law in schoolsThree teachers on Wednesday filed a federal lawsuit alleging a new state law restricting titles and pronouns at schools unconstitutionally discriminates against transgender and nonbinary educators.
Trump lawyer hints at a First Amendment defense in the Jan. 6 case. Some legal experts are dubious
Read full article: Trump lawyer hints at a First Amendment defense in the Jan. 6 case. Some legal experts are dubiousDonald Trump’s legal team is characterizing his indictment in the special counsel’s 2020 election interference investigation as an attack on the former president’s right to free speech.
Florida bill would force bloggers who write about elected officials to register with state
Read full article: Florida bill would force bloggers who write about elected officials to register with stateA Republican lawmaker in Florida wants bloggers who write about elected officials to register with the state.
US appeals court: Beauty pageant can bar trans contestants
Read full article: US appeals court: Beauty pageant can bar trans contestantsA federal appellate court says a national beauty pageant has a First Amendment right to exclude a transgender woman from competing, because including her could interfere with the message the pageant wants to send about what characteristics make an ideal woman.
Appeals court OKs Jan. 6 panel subpoena to Arizona GOP chair
Read full article: Appeals court OKs Jan. 6 panel subpoena to Arizona GOP chairA federal appeals court panel won't block a subpoena issued by the U.S. House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection that seeks phone records of the Arizona Republican Party’s leader.
Northside Coalition of Jacksonville leader to address UN committee in Switzerland
Read full article: Northside Coalition of Jacksonville leader to address UN committee in SwitzerlandA Jacksonville civil rights leader plans to speak before a United Nations human rights committee in Switzerland next Tuesday.
Judge strikes down law limiting ballot initiative donations
Read full article: Judge strikes down law limiting ballot initiative donationsA federal judge has struck down a Florida law limiting contributions to people or political committees championing ballot initiatives, ruling it violates the First Amendment.
LA sheriff investigates how reporter obtained leaked video
Read full article: LA sheriff investigates how reporter obtained leaked videoThe Los Angeles County sheriff disputed allegations he orchestrated the cover-up of an incident where a deputy knelt on a handcuffed inmate’s head for more than three minutes.
Judge blocks contribution cap for ballot initiatives
Read full article: Judge blocks contribution cap for ballot initiativesDelivering a second punch to the Florida Legislature in two days, a federal judge on Thursday blocked a new law that would cap contributions to political committees backing ballot initiatives, saying the law runs afoul of the First Amendment.
Florida House debates ‘anti-riot’ legislation
Read full article: Florida House debates ‘anti-riot’ legislationTALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida House on Thursday began debating legislation that aims to crack down on violent protests. Democrats proposed adding five amendments to House Bill 1 in an effort to water down the bill, which critics say will impose on people’s rights to peacefully protest. The legislation was written in response to the burning of buildings in the Tampa Bay area in June and windows smashed in Tallahassee, among violent unrest elsewhere in the state. It protects police officers who are there protecting against violent protests,” House Speaker Chris Sprowls said of the bill. Opponents claim the legislation will stifle peaceful protests, a criticism Sprowls took issue with.
Stone tablet marking First Amendment freedoms finds new home
Read full article: Stone tablet marking First Amendment freedoms finds new homeThe faade will be reinstalled at The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. The tablet is engraved with the First Amendment, which protects freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly and the right to petition the government. It's a gift from the Freedom Forum, the creator of the Newseum, a museum dedicated to the First Amendment. Ad“It’s so meaningful to bring the text of the First Amendment to Philadelphia,” National Constitution Center President Jeffrey Rosen said in a statement. He said it would “inspire visitors for generations to come.”A dedication ceremony is planned for later this year.
Rep. Renner weighs in on controversial ‘anti-mob’ bill
Read full article: Rep. Renner weighs in on controversial ‘anti-mob’ billThe controversial ‘anti-mob’ bill has faced strong opposition, including in Duval County, from those who say it would limit First Amendment rights and allow bystanders to shoot and kill looters. Republican Rep. Paul Renner, represents Florida’s 24th District — which includes all of Flagler County, southern St. Johns County and northern Volusia County — and a powerful voice in the Florida House of Representatives. He told Kent Justice during a taping of This Week in Jacksonville that he supports any legislation that would deter political violence. In a House committee session in Tallahassee last month, 69 people spoke out about the bill. You can watch the full interview Sunday at 9 a.m. on Channel 4 and at noon on CW17.
Jacksonville man was working security at pro-Trump Rally before Capitol riot
Read full article: Jacksonville man was working security at pro-Trump Rally before Capitol riotJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Randy McDaniels traveled from Jacksonville to work security at President Donald Trump’s rally in Washington D.C. last week. After the rally, McDaniels learned a mob of people rushed the capitol. Like the gentleman with the horns on that you saw inside, he was out in the street. On Wednesday, one week after the Capitol siege, President Trump was impeached on a charge of incitement of insurrection. A video of President Trump was posted on the White House’s Twitter page.
Does a Twitter ban violate First Amendment rights? A legal expert weighs in
Read full article: Does a Twitter ban violate First Amendment rights? A legal expert weighs inThese are the rules for Congress, for our government, which Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and all other social media platforms are not. “The Constitution actually is irrelevant here in terms of the banning of public officials, including President Trump, from Twitter. Meaning, social media platforms have become less like shops and restaurants and more like the roads and bridges of the internet. “The bigger question that might raise is is should we start to treat these larger social media platforms, which do have vast power like Facebook? In the Florida legislature, there’s a bill that’s been filed for consideration that would allow users to sue social media companies for blocking their content.
Rally held at courthouse to protest proposed ‘anti-mob’ legislation
Read full article: Rally held at courthouse to protest proposed ‘anti-mob’ legislationThat right is also granted among states, but a group of people say that right is being threatened by a new bill called the “anti-mob” legislation. DeSantis backs ‘anti-mob’ proposal in response to protests“We have the right to protest, we have the right to say how we feel about things. “We’re here to make clear that this proposed legislation is blatantly unconstitutional,” said Ben Frazier, of the Northside Coalition of Jacksonville. This year, there were examples of peaceful protests turned violent, and some agree that the proposed law would help reduce violence. A county that has disproportionately reduced its law enforcement funding is not eligible to receive state funds.”
Federal judge postpones Trump ban on popular app TikTok
Read full article: Federal judge postpones Trump ban on popular app TikTokNEW YORK – A federal judge on Sunday postponed a Trump administration order that would have banned the popular video sharing app TikTok from U.S. smartphone app stores around midnight. The ruling followed an emergency hearing Sunday morning in which lawyers for TikTok argued that the administration's app-store ban would infringe on First Amendment rights and do irreparable harm to the business. In arguments to Judge Nichols, TikTok lawyer John Hall said that TikTok is more than an app, since it functions as a “modern day version of a town square." In addition, Hall argued that a ban would prevent existing users from automatically receiving security updates, eroding national security. Trump set the process in motion with executive orders in August that declared TikTok and another Chinese app, WeChat, threats to national security.
231st anniversary of the First Amendment
Read full article: 231st anniversary of the First AmendmentJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Friday marks the 231st anniversary of the passage of the First Amendment, protecting the freedom of speech, religion and the press. It’s now honored as First Amendment Day. The bill also protects the right to peacefully protest and to petition the government. While the law may be centuries old, it is never more relevant. We take that responsibility seriously and do our best every day to earn your respect.
Trump defies virus rules as 'peaceful protest' rallies grow
Read full article: Trump defies virus rules as 'peaceful protest' rallies growWASHINGTON – President Donald Trump is running as the “law and order” candidate. But they have largely not tried to block the gatherings of thousands of people, which Trump and his team deem “peaceful protests” protected by the First Amendment. An indoor rally that Trump held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in June was blamed for a surge of virus infections there. Trump held an indoor rally at the Xtreme Manufacturing facility in Henderson, Nevada, on Sunday night. The state restricts gatherings to 50 people — based on White House reopening guidelines —- but thousands of supporters packed into the warehouse space nonetheless.
NAB President Gordon Smith weighs in on importance of local journalism
Read full article: NAB President Gordon Smith weighs in on importance of local journalismGordon Smith, president of the National Association of Broadcasters, sat down with Detroits WDIV to discuss the state of local journalism and freedom of the press. Smiths remarks come as journalists voice concerns about violence and aggression toward reporters and crews in the field while they cover unrest in cities across the country. Our fellow citizens deserve and need to hear what is reported to have context of whats happening in their communities, Smith told WDIV. And when theyre put under stress like this, where theyre subject to danger from protesters but even worse, I suppose, from police some police organizations that have pepper sprayed them and tear gassed them and even fired rubber bullets at them this is simply unacceptable.Listen to Smiths complete remarks in the clip above.
FBI asking for tips to identity violent protesters
Read full article: FBI asking for tips to identity violent protestersIn Jacksonville, Sheriff Mike Williams said there were 78 people arrested during demonstrations over the weekend, 16 of whom were not from Duval County. According to an arrest report, those items were taken to 27-year-old Ivan Zechers backpack. Images that were referenced by Sheriff Williams during this afternoons briefing. That man was identified in an arrest report as 19-year-old Hubert Rivers. Protesters said they want the FBI to look at these videos, as well, to determine whether police used excessive force.
Tech-rights group sues Trump to stop social-media order
Read full article: Tech-rights group sues Trump to stop social-media orderNEW YORK A tech-focused civil liberties group on Tuesday sued to block President Donald Trump's executive order that seeks to regulate social media, saying it violates the First Amendment and chills speech. Trump's order, signed last week, could allow more lawsuits against internet companies like Twitter and Facebook for what their users post, tweet and stream. Trump, without evidence, has long accused tech companies of being biased against conservatives. There was pushback against Trump's order from various sources. Civil rights and libertarian organizations and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce also criticized Trump's order.
Christian school wins round over pregame prayer
Read full article: Christian school wins round over pregame prayerCambridge Christian School of Tampa argues in the lawsuit that the decision blocking the use of the loudspeaker for the prayer violated First Amendment rights. "We cannot say whether these claims will ultimately succeed, but Cambridge Christian has plausibly alleged enough to enter the courtroom and be heard." The case stems from a December 2015 football championship game between Cambridge Christian and University Christian School at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. Cambridge Christian filed the lawsuit in federal court in Tampa, but Honeywell rejected the arguments that the association had violated First Amendment rights. But the appeals court reversed the dismissal, saying the constitutional arguments and facts of the case should receive closer scrutiny.