Student Can Wear ‘Jesus Loves Me’ Face Mask; Mississippi School District Settles Lawsuit
A Mississippi public school district agreed to retract a policy in a settlement Jan. 25 after it violated a third grader’s First Amendment right to wear a face mask to school with “Jesus Loves Me” written on it.
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.
DeSantis Didn’t Violate Court Order Blocking ‘Stop WOKE’ Act, Federal Judge Rules
A federal judge ruled Jan. 12 that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration did not violate an order blocking the academic provision of the “Stop WOKE” Act, which restricts race-based discussions in higher education classrooms.
The City of Tallahassee filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit on Jan. 5 filed by a former Citizens Police Review Board member who was voted off the board because of an “abolish police” sticker on her cup.
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.
A federal appeals court held that a California public high school was within its rights after it disciplined two former students for creating and interacting with an Instagram account that shared posts targeting their Black classmates.
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.
Julian Assange, the Espionage Act and Dangerous Press Freedom Implications
Julian Assange is the first publisher in history to be charged with the World War I-era Espionage Act, igniting pushback from journalists around the world who say this could threaten press freedoms and endanger First Amendment protections.