First Amendment News

Stanford internet research scholar Riana Pfefferkorn in techdirt, March 9, 2023, writes that if Section 230 is weakened, it would make it more difficult for food poisonings to come to light. Last year through Twitter and Instagram users, it emerged that a lentil and leak dish from meal-kit company Daily Harvest was responsible for making over 400 people sick, a third of whom were hospitalized. Social media users shared their experiences, warning others to avoid

The Supreme Court punted on the case of a group of atheists suing Ocala, Florida for arranging a Christian prayer vigil in the wake of a drive-by shooting injuring children. A lower court found that the city violated the First Amendment in arranging the vigil, but the city wanted the Supreme Court to rule on the case in light of the June ruling for a public high school coach who prayed after games. The case

Pen America CEO Suzanne Nossel, The Guardian, March 10, 2023, writes that 32 states are considering laws to curb drag performances. Nossel says, “Most bills define a drag performer as someone performing while using dress, makeup and mannerisms associated with a gender other than the one assigned to them at birth.” The Supreme Court has ruled repeatedly that clothing choice is protected under the First Amendment. Philosophy professor Mark Satta, FlaglerLive, March 6, 2023, writes

The Second Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals overturned a lower court, ruling that a police officer violated a man’s First Amendment rights when they arrested him for holding a sign warning of a police traffic checkpoint. (Reason, March 3, 2023, by C.J. Ciaramella) The court said Michael Friend was not violating any law in holding the sign and that the police action in setting up a checkpoint was a matter of public concern. (Courthouse News

An English professor won a $1 million settlement after he was fired for reporting incidents of antisemitism and sexual harassment. In firing him, Linfield University violated school policy in not affording Daniel Pollack-Pelzer due process. (The Free Speech Center, February 27, 2023, by Dennis Hetzel( Pollack-Pelzer said of the settlement, “Everyone should be able to work and study without fear of discrimination or harassment, and everyone should be able to report their safety concerns without