Aware that it may abridge free speech rights, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill that bans the sale on state property of swastikas and Confederate flags promoting racism and generating violent acts against religious and ethnic groups. Cuomo admitted that the law needed changes to maintain free speech protections. (The Hill, December 16, 2020, by Kaelan Deese)
But First Amendment lawyer Floyd Abrams was less sure that only a few tweaks were needed in the law. “A private entity can choose to sell or not sell offensive symbols but when the government bans the sale of offensive, but constitutionally protected symbols, on its property the First Amendment comes into play,” said Abrams. (New York Post, December 16, 2020, by Kevin Tampone)