Anti-Riot or Anti-Protest? Florida Governor Signs Contentious New Bill
On April 19th, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law H.B. 1, new legislation that includes a collection of amendments and additions to existing Florida statutes concerning criminal charges for violent protests. The legislation enhances penalties for people who commit crimes during a riot and gives the state the power to approve funding of local budgets, particularly in regards to funding law enforcement.
New Utah Law Blocks Pornographic Content on Phones and Tablets
On March 23rd, Utah Governor Spencer Cox signed a bill aimed at limiting minors’ access to pornographic content. The new law is the latest move in an ongoing campaign by conservative lawmakers in the state to combat online pornography.
On November 20th, the City of Delano, California agreed to settle a lawsuit brought by four high school students who alleged that Delano police officers violated their First Amendment right to record police.
ACLU Sues Indiana State Police For Restrictions on Anti-Death Penalty Protests
Anti-death penalty protesters want to stand vigil during executions outside the prison entrance but have been blocked by police since early July. The ACLU lawsuit says the 1.6-mile no-protest zone around the federal prison does not serve a significant government interest and should be struck down.
ACLU Sues City of Minneapolis For Injuries to Demonstrators During George Floyd Protests
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Minnesota, along with law firm Fish & Richardson, has filed a civil rights lawsuit on behalf of four protesters against the City of Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Police Chief, the head of the police officer’s union, and others.
Federal Judge Orders Cohen’s Release, Says He Was Punished For Planned Book
A federal judge orders Cohen to be released after finding that the purpose of his re-imprisonment was in retaliation for his plans to criticize Trump. Prior to being put back in prison, Cohen was pressured into signing an agreement that would have relinquished his First Amendment rights.
ACLU Petition Says Cohen Imprisoned in Retaliation for Planned Book About Trump
According to the petition, Cohen was asked to sign a form agreeing not to publish the book as a condition of his release. His lawyers and the ACLU are asking the US District Court for the Southern District of New York for his immediate release into home confinement.
ACLU Sues City of Seattle For Using Excessive Force On Protestors
On June 9th, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Washington filed an emergency lawsuit demanding that the City of Seattle immediately stop using chemical agents on protestors. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court of Western Washington on behalf of Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County and individual demonstrators, comes in response to the Seattle Police Department’s (SPD) continued use of chemical agents for crowd control.