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donal brown

Pittsburgh: Federal jury to hear middle finger suit

donal brown September 9, 2009

In the heat of a parking dispute, an angry citizen raised his middle finger to a police officer and was cited for obscene gestures and vulgar language. The man is now suing for damages claiming his gestures and profanities were protected under the First Amendment.  -DB Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW September 7, 2009 By Brian Bowling A federal jury this week will hear a Regent Square man’s claims that Pittsburgh police routinely violate people’s right to free speech

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Judge rules challenge to records release a SLAPP

donal brown September 8, 2009

While acknowledging that a plaintiff had no right to keep pension records private, a Superior Court judge ruled that the plaintiff’s concern about her privacy was legitimate and dismissed a motion for attorney fees brought by media concerns. -DB Metropolitan News-Enterprise September 8, 2009 By Steven M. Ellis An action by a group of newspapers against a retired Contra Costa deputy sheriff who filed suit to block release of her pension information was a strategic lawsuit

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Federal judge grants access to classified information

donal brown September 8, 2009

In a jolting decision, a federal judge has ruled that a court can determine that an individual has the right to know certain classified information even if the executive branch opposes revealing that information. -DB Secrecy News Federation of American Scientists September 8, 2009 By Steven Aftergood Ordinarily, decisions about granting security clearances and determining whether an individual has a “need to know” certain classified information are made by the executive branch.  But a federal judge

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Report card on government secrecy now available

donal brown September 8, 2009

Openthegovernment.org has released a “secrecy report card” that shows only limited changes in operations over the last year to withhold government information from the public. -DB Secrecy News Federation of American Scientists September 8, 2009 By Steven Aftergood The vast apparatus of government secrecy persisted through the last year with only limited changes in the contours of its multi-billion dollar operations, according to the latest “secrecy report card” published by Openthegovernment.org, a coalition of organizations working

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SLAPPs can shield those committing hate crimes

donal brown September 8, 2009

In light of a hate crime case involving a student at the private Harvard-Westlake School, a professor argues that SLAPP suits can force those seeking redress to endure costly legal expenses hurting their chances for a just settlement. -DB Gay and Lesbian Times Commentary September 3, 2009 By Robert Dekoven The California Legislature needs to exempt hate crimes from SLAPP procedures. SLAPP, or strategic lawsuit against public participation, motions are attempts to silence public protests or

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