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Viral Halloween display in Houston’s Second Ward fuels debate over immigration, free speech
Read full article: Viral Halloween display in Houston’s Second Ward fuels debate over immigration, free speechA Halloween display in Houston’s Second Ward has gone viral, sparking debate about free speech and how far is too far when it comes to holiday decorations.
NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani pulls out of town hall over ABC's Jimmy Kimmel suspension
Read full article: NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani pulls out of town hall over ABC's Jimmy Kimmel suspensionNew York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani says he is pulling out of a town hall held by a local ABC station following the national network’s decision to suspend late-night host Jimmy Kimmel.
While praising Charlie Kirk’s commitment to free speech, Texas leaders move to punish students celebrating his death
Read full article: While praising Charlie Kirk’s commitment to free speech, Texas leaders move to punish students celebrating his deathGov. Greg Abbott called for a student to be expelled for celebrating Kirk’s death. Legal experts say the student’s speech is likely constitutionally protected.
Trump's order on flag burning could return the question to the Supreme Court
Read full article: Trump's order on flag burning could return the question to the Supreme CourtPresident Donald Trump has signed an executive order challenging a 1989 Supreme Court decision that protects flag burning as free speech.
In lawsuit over teen's death, judge rejects arguments that AI chatbots have free speech rights
Read full article: In lawsuit over teen's death, judge rejects arguments that AI chatbots have free speech rightsA federal judge in Florida has rejected arguments made by an artificial intelligence company that its chatbots are protected by the First Amendment — at least for now.
Critics say Trump's religion agenda will benefit conservative Christians the most
Read full article: Critics say Trump's religion agenda will benefit conservative Christians the mostPresident Donald Trump's establishment of a White House Faith Office, a Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias and a Religious Liberty Commission has raised cheers from his base of conservative Christian supporters.
Roberts might hold key Supreme Court vote over first publicly funded religious charter school
Read full article: Roberts might hold key Supreme Court vote over first publicly funded religious charter schoolChief Justice John Roberts appears to hold the key vote over whether the Supreme Court will allow the nation’s first publicly funded religious charter school, in Oklahoma.
Federal judge rules action against NEA unnecessary after it backed off bans on gender ideology
Read full article: Federal judge rules action against NEA unnecessary after it backed off bans on gender ideologyA federal judge has denied a motion to block the National Endowment for the Arts from barring funds to artists whose projects promote gender ideology, saying the agency no longer was doing that.
What to know about a legal dispute over one Ohio school district's pronoun policy
Read full article: What to know about a legal dispute over one Ohio school district's pronoun policyA federal appeals court in Cincinnati has heard arguments in a legal dispute that pits a suburban Ohio school district’s gender pronoun policy against the free speech rights of classmates who believe there are only two genders.
Trump campaigned as a protector of free speech. Critics say his actions as president threaten it
Read full article: Trump campaigned as a protector of free speech. Critics say his actions as president threaten itPresident Donald Trump campaigned as a champion of free speech, but First Amendment advocates say they’ve never seen freedom of speech under attack the way it has been in his second term.
Supreme Court turns back challenges to laws keeping abortion opponents away from clinics, patients
Read full article: Supreme Court turns back challenges to laws keeping abortion opponents away from clinics, patientsThe Supreme Court has declined to hear a pair of cases from abortion opponents who say laws limiting anti-abortion demonstrations near clinics violate their First Amendment rights.
Supreme Court will weigh approval for US’ 1st publicly funded religious charter school, in Oklahoma
Read full article: Supreme Court will weigh approval for US’ 1st publicly funded religious charter school, in OklahomaThe Supreme Court has agreed to take on a new culture war dispute: whether the nation’s first publicly funded religious charter school should be allowed to open in Oklahoma.
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.”.
UT-Austin student’s lawsuit over arrest during pro-Palestinian demonstrations may proceed, judge rules
Read full article: UT-Austin student’s lawsuit over arrest during pro-Palestinian demonstrations may proceed, judge rulesAmmer Qaddumi alleges UT-Austin violated his First Amendment rights. He is also challenging his suspension from the university.
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.
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.
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.
U.S. Supreme Court declines to intervene in lawsuit over West Texas A&M drag shows
Read full article: U.S. Supreme Court declines to intervene in lawsuit over West Texas A&M drag showsThe decision means university President Walter Wendler could cancel an on-campus drag show next week. He canceled a previous show last year.
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.
Texas’ ban on certain drag shows is unconstitutional, federal judge says
Read full article: Texas’ ban on certain drag shows is unconstitutional, federal judge saysSenate Bill 12 would have prohibited performers from dancing suggestively or wearing certain prosthetics in front of children. Critics sued the state, saying it violated the First Amendment.
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.
First Amendment group sues Gov. Abbott, others over Texas’ TikTok ban on official devices
Read full article: First Amendment group sues Gov. Abbott, others over Texas’ TikTok ban on official devicesA First Amendment group sued Texas Governor Greg Abbott and others on Thursday over the state’s TikTok ban on official devices.
“Seems obscene” says federal appeals court judge during hearing for Llano County library book removal case
Read full article: “Seems obscene” says federal appeals court judge during hearing for Llano County library book removal caseA 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel in New Orleans heard oral arguments Wednesday for an appeal to overturn a judge’s order that Llano County officials return to shelves books they had removed. It was not clear how or when the appellate panel would rule.
Texas senator tries new path in bid to revise Texas free-speech law
Read full article: Texas senator tries new path in bid to revise Texas free-speech lawIn a last-minute hearing Wednesday, Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, opened another avenue to get the bill passed, raising alarm among free-speech advocates.
Appeals court to decide if First Amendment should have protected Laredo’s “big crazy lady” from arrest
Read full article: Appeals court to decide if First Amendment should have protected Laredo’s “big crazy lady” from arrestPriscilla Villarreal was arrested over her Facebook postings. In a rare proceeding, the entire 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will weigh whether she can sue, a case that could have major ramifications for citizen journalists like her -- and professional ones.
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.
Supreme Court sides with school coach who prayed at a game, offering more protection to public displays of religion
Read full article: Supreme Court sides with school coach who prayed at a game, offering more protection to public displays of religionThe court ruled a Washington state coach was praying as a private citizen when he knelt after a game on the field, not as an employee of the district.
Texas leaders react to U.S. Supreme Court siding with football coach who lost job for praying after games
Read full article: Texas leaders react to U.S. Supreme Court siding with football coach who lost job for praying after gamesJonathan Saenz, the president of Texas Values, is now celebrating the U.S. Supreme Court decision on siding with a Washington state football coach who lost his job for praying after games.
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.
Supreme Court rules unanimously against Houston Community College board member who claimed a First Amendment violation; Read the full SCOTUS opinion
Read full article: Supreme Court rules unanimously against Houston Community College board member who claimed a First Amendment violation; Read the full SCOTUS opinionThe Supreme Court on Friday unanimously ruled against David Wilson, a member of Houston Community College’s board.
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton agrees to stop blocking people on Twitter, ending lawsuit over First Amendment
Read full article: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton agrees to stop blocking people on Twitter, ending lawsuit over First AmendmentAttorneys in the lawsuit, which was filed in April, argued that being blocked from viewing Paxton’s tweets limited the rights of people to access statements made by the public official, therefore violating the First Amendment.
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Texans sue Attorney General Ken Paxton, accuse him of violating First Amendment for blocking them on Twitter
Read full article: Texans sue Attorney General Ken Paxton, accuse him of violating First Amendment for blocking them on TwitterA group of Texans and a free speech advocacy group are suing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in federal court, accusing him of unconstitutionally blocking nine people on Twitter for criticizing him or his policies on the platform.
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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.
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Federal judge postpones Pres. Trump ban on popular app TikTok
Read full article: Federal judge postpones Pres. Trump ban on popular app TikTok(AP) – 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 addition, Hall argued that a ban would prevent existing users from automatically receiving security updates, eroding national security. “This is the most immediate national security threat," argued Schwei. Trump set the process in motion with executive orders in August that declared TikTok and another Chinese app, WeChat, threats to national security.
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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.
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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.