North Carolina Justice Sues to End Ethics Probe Sparked by Her Diversity Critique
A North Carolina Supreme Court justice filed a federal lawsuit on Tuesday against the state’s judicial ethics commission seeking to end an ongoing investigation into public statements she made about the lack of diversity in the state’s court system.
A dozen Philadelphia police officers who sued the city after they were disciplined and fired for offensive Facebook posts can pursue their First Amendment lawsuit against the city, a federal appeals court ruled June 8.
Fifth Circuit to Decide if Texas Citizen Journalist’s Arrest Violated the First Amendment
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit heard arguments en banc Jan. 25 in the case of a Texas citizen journalist who was arrested for asking a police officer a question.
Former Virginia Tech Athlete Who Refused to Kneel Reportedly to Receive $100K Settlement
A former Virginia Tech women’s soccer player will reportedly receive $100,000, according to her attorney, in a settlement after suing her coach for allegedly retaliating against her for her political views.
Virginia Tech Soccer Player’s Free Speech Lawsuit Continues to Trial
A former Virginia Tech women’s soccer player who refused to kneel in support of political protest in 2020 sued her coach for allegedly retaliating against her and forcing her off the team. On Dec. 2, a federal district judge denied the coach’s motion for summary judgment, advancing the case to trial.
Washington School District Ordered to Reinstate Praying Football Coach
The Supreme Court ruled in favor of a praying high school football coach this summer, and a U.S. district judge issued an order Nov. 10 instructing a Washington school district to reinstate him.
An anti-abortion group of self-proclaimed citizen journalists, Center for Medical Progress, secretly videotaped Planned Parenthood after creating false identities and a fake company to infiltrate restricted areas. The group released the project "Human Capital" in 2015, which includes various documentary-like videos accusing Planned Parenthood clinics in California of selling aborted fetal tissue. The activists argued that its project was protected by the First Amendment, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed that no journalist is above the law.
Arizona Federal District Judge Restricts Interference of Poll-Watching Group
An Arizona federal district judge narrowed a poll-watching group’s ability to monitor ballot drop boxes by issuing restrictions on taking photos and videos of early voters and prohibiting the open carry of firearms and wearing tactical gear within 250 feet of a drop box. The temporary restraining order, issued Nov. 1 by U.S. District Judge Michael Liburdi bars affiliates and members of the poll-watching group Clean Elections USA from taking photos and videos of people within 75 feet of a drop box; following, yelling or speaking to people dropping off ballots unless they’re engaged first; and standing within 75 feet of a drop box.