Coalition News

Q&A: FAC Legal Director David Loy on the right to honk your horn as a form of expression

People sound their car horns every day to express themselves. It’s common, part of the American tradition — and it’s also a type of expression protected by the First Amendment. But in California, expressive horn use is against the law. That’s why the First Amendment Coalition is supporting a federal civil rights case brought by the ACLU Foundation of San Diego & Imperial Counties that aims to limit when the government can ticket someone for

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FAC Defends Press Freedom in Marin Photographer’s Case

A note from Executive Director David Snyder We went to court last week to stand up for press freedom after police arrested Northern California photographer Jeremy Portje and seized his camera gear.  By itself, the arrest raised a number of concerns. Portje was reportedly filming police in public at a homeless encampment — activity that is protected by the First Amendment. Then, police seized Portje’s camera gear and electronic devices. Regardless of the reason for the arrest, this seizure left Portje vulnerable to an

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