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protected speech

First Amendment: Stolen valor case goes to U.S. Supreme Court

donal brown October 17, 2011

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear the case of a California man held criminally liable for lying about his military exploits. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the man’s lies were permissible under the First Amendment. A dissenting judge wrote that the Supreme Court had already established that false statements of fact are not protected speech. -db From the Courthouse News Service, October 17, 2011, by Barbara Leonard. Full story

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Profanity not always protected by First Amendment

donal brown October 10, 2011

A suburban Chicago city recently rescinded a law against profanity in public places out of concern that the law may run afoul of the First Amendment, but says David L. Hudson Jr. of the First Amendment Center, the Constitution does not always protect profanity. The list of unprotected speech includes fighting words, true threats and incitement to violence or other unlawful acts. -db From a commentary for the First Amendment Center, October 6, 2011, by

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Federal appeals court says cheerleader must cheer for player accused of sexually assaulting her

donal brown September 28, 2010

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a cheerleader’s refusal to root for an athlete accused of sexual assaulting her is not protected speech, and the school district had “no duty to promote” the cheerleader’s message. -db Salon.com Commentary September 24, 2010 By Tracy Clark-Flory Cheerleading is often maligned as an illegitimate, unchallenging sport — but you just try to imagine having to shake your pom-poms for an athlete accused of sexually assaulting you.

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Jefferson center announces dubious awards for stifling free expression

donal brown April 13, 2010

The Thomas Jefferson Center has made its 19th annual “Jefferson Muzzle” awards for those who demonstrated notable disregard for First Amendment last year. For the detailed list of the winners, go to Jefferson Muzzles. -db First Amendment Center Commentary April 13, 2010 By David L. Hudson Jr. An unusually diverse group of winners headlined the 19th annual “Jefferson Muzzle” awards, unveiled today by the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression. Every year, the

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