First Amendment News

San Francisco a leader in providing free applications developed from city data

San Francisco has launched DataSF.org a website that offers free applications created by citizens from city and county data. -DB Government Technology September 25, 2009 By Karen Stewartson San Francisco today announced the launch of DataSF Apps Showcase, a site that boasts free innovative applications created by citizens using city and county data. “We are trying to turn San Francisco’s government into an organizing platform for civic engagement by giving our residents the tools to

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Provocative signs at Marine’s funeral ruled protected speech

A federal appeals court ruled that, though repugnant, signs such as “Thank God for dead soldiers” at a Marine’s funeral were constitutionally protected as speech intended to spark public debate. -DB The Baltimore Sun September 25, 2009 By Nicole Fuller A federal appeals court ruled Thursday that a fundamentalist Kansas church’s protest outside the funeral of a Westminster Marine killed in Iraq is protected speech and did not violate the privacy of the service member’s

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Hallmark wants rehearing in First Amendment case against Paris Hilton

After losing a federal court appeal ruling on August 31, Hallmark Cards is asking for a rehearing with the full court concerning a dispute with Paris Hilton over a birthday card bearing an image of Hilton’s head. -DB The National Law Journal September 23, 2009 By Amanda Bronstad Hallmark Cards Inc. has asked the full “Court of Appeals for the Hollywood Circuit” to reconsider a ruling that pits the greeting card company’s First Amendment rights

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Obama’s new policy on state secrets disappoints EFF attorney

An attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation argues that the Obama administration did not go far enough in reforming the use of the state secrets privilege. The changes will run a decision through executive layers but still allow the government to invoke the privilege to block a court case without judicial oversight. -DB Electronic Frontier Foundation Legislative Analysis September 24, 2009 By Kurt Opsahl After months of internal review, the Obama Administration today announced a new

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Federal court rules city college sexual harassment policy counter to free speech rights

The Los Angeles Community College District must stop enforcing their sexual harassment policy after a federal court ruling upholding an injunction against the policy. A court will now entertain arguments to determine if the policy is reaching too far to trample the First Amendment rights of students. -DB Student Press Law Center September 23, 2009 By Michael Edwards CALIFORNIA — A federal district court ruled last week that the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) sexual harassment

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