First Amendment Watch Roundtable: Floyd Abrams Responds to Louis Michael Seidman
In his provocative essay forthcoming in Columbia Law Review, Georgetown Law Professor Michael Seidman writes, “Free speech cannot be progressive. At least it can't be progressive if we are talking about free speech in the American context, with all the historical, sociological, and philosophical baggage that comes with the modern, American free speech right. … But the notion that our free speech tradition might be weaponized to advance progressive ends is fanciful.” Freedom of speech pushed progressive causes forward in the second half of the 20th century—it protected civil rights demonstrators, shielded artists from suppression, and safeguarded antiwar protestors. But is it less aligned with progressive goals now? After all, the First Amendment was used to invalidate some campaign financing regulations in Citizens United v. FEC, for example, and protects hate speech. We are devoting a First Amendment Roundtable to discuss Seidman’s question. Today, we present Floyd Abrams' response. We invite readers to join the discussion: send us your thoughts at fawroundtable@gmail.com.
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University of Michigan Clarifies Speech Codes On Same Day DOJ Declares Opposition
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Charges Dropped Against New Hampshire Man Arrested For Defaming Police Chief
The Exeter police dropped charges against Robert Frese who was arrested for criminal defamation of a police chief for a comment made online. In a press release, Exeter police said […]