Tag: first amendment
Breaking down the Murthy v. Missouri Supreme Court Ruling
June 28, 2024 | Post
The Murthy v. Missouri case exposed the Biden Administration’s efforts to control public discourse, highlighting a crucial battle for free speech rights.
Meet the fearless middle schooler who dared to wear the Gadsden flag in class
December 13, 2023 | Post
In late August 2023, middle schooler, Jaiden Rodriguez, was removed from class over a Gadsden flag patch on his backpack.
This was in defiance of the First Amendment’s protection of free speech, which has long been deemed fully applicable to publicly funded schools by the U.S. Supreme Court.
But First Amendment rights did not mean this was the end of the story.
A history of free speech in America
June 8, 2023 | Post
The history of free speech in the United States is a complex and fascinating topic, deeply rooted in the nation’s founding principles. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791, protects the right to free speech, along with freedom of religion, the press, assembly, and petition.
Silencing dissent: the dangerous precedent set by Tennessee’s partisan expulsions
April 10, 2023 | Post
In a troubling display of political retribution, two Democratic lawmakers in Tennessee, Rep. Justin Jones and Rep. Justin Pearson, were recently expelled by the Republican supermajority in the Tennessee House for violating decorum rules. Their transgression? Participating in a protest on the House floor advocating for gun control in the wake of a tragic school shooting in Nashville. This vote marked the first time in Tennessee’s history that expulsion has been wielded as a partisan weapon against lawmakers on the other side of the aisle.
Is Elon Musk really a friend of free speech?
December 16, 2022 | Post
On December 15, 2022, under Elon Musk, Twitter suspended several prominent journalists’ accounts from publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and CNN, among others.
Legends of Liberty: Lenny Bruce
December 3, 2021 | Post
E.M. Forster once said, “How do I know what I think until I see what I say?” He was observing that, in our brains, thoughts often bounce and jump around frenetically; for many of us, we have to verbalize — or write down — our thoughts before they gain clarity. So, in a sense, the […]
Do NFL players have the right to take the knee?
October 9, 2017 | Post
We need to be careful about arguing that players have a First Amendment right to protest peacefully on the field.
No, corporations are not "people." But the First Amendment still applies.
July 5, 2017 | Post
A few weeks ago, I was on the toxic cesspool that Twitter has become, and got a reply to one of my Tweets: “You libertarians need to realize corporations=/=people if you want people to take you seriously.”
What should we think about anti-protesting laws?
April 9, 2017 | Post
17 states have anti-protesting bills in the works. This is unconstitutional and antithetical to the principles of freedom.
Does the constitution require a war on Christmas?
December 25, 2016 | Post
“In no way did America’s Founders — especially those men who drafted and ratified the First Amendment — desire to build a wall of separation between church and state.” — Mark Hall
Clergy should be able to preach without fear
October 26, 2016 | Post
In the absence of a compelling interest, such as preventing physical harm, governments have no right to control what goes on inside of churches and other houses of worship.
You Have a Constitutional Right to Record Public Officials in Public
October 12, 2016 | Post
The first amendment protects the rights of individuals to record the actions of government officials in public. US Customs and Border Protection disagrees.
Are Giant Rats Free Speech?
September 13, 2016 | Post
Are giant rats free speech? This is the question at the heart of an ongoing suit in against the town of Grand Chute, Wisconsin. As a form of protest, unions will place giant, inflatable “union rats” in front of businesses they have disputes with. In Grand Chute, the town ordered that one of these rats […]
What Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Means for Free Speech Today
April 29, 2016 | Post
OK, so let’s say the $h!t finally hits the fan. Imagine that whomever you think would be the worst possible president has just been elected. Further, imagine that he has made clear, “Don’t think we’re not keeping score, brother,” or that anyone who didn’t cooperate with his plans would “pay a big price.” Would you […]
Know Your (Bill of) Rights
February 18, 2016 | Post
Did you know that the Bill of Rights is the first ten amendments to the Constitution? Okay, maybe you did. But can you name all the amendments, and what they protect? You’re probably familiar with the First, Second, and Fifth Amendments, which are commonly referenced and protect free speech, the right to bear arms, and […]
Can you be sued for your political newspaper ad?
February 3, 2016 | Post
The Institute for Justice released a great video last week which describes just one of their cases regarding political speech. They point out how laws restricting freedom of speech, especially political speech, can have a negative impact on political dialog—and that the people who have the most to gain from these laws are politicians themselves. […]
Compulsory Union Dues Before the Supreme Court
January 21, 2016 | Post
Reason Magazine is reporting on the beginning of oral arguments in the case Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association before the Supreme Court. Todd Krainin writes: “The unions force me to fund collective bargaining efforts that are harmful to my students,” declared plaintiff Rebecca Friedrichs on the steps of the Supreme Court. “And that’s offensive to […]
Featured On Demand Program of the Week: Free Speech
October 26, 2015 | Post
Learn Liberty On Demand offers you a series of videos on new and exciting topics in the world of policy and ideas that you can watch any time, anywhere, on your schedule. Have you ever wondered if Free Speech has its limits? Well, this is the place for you. You’ve got freedom of speech, but […]