free speech Archives - Liberty Justice Center

5 Things to Know About Principal Barton Thorne and His Case Against Shelby County Schools

Principal Thorne’s experience illustrates the dangers of cancel culture. Thorne warned his students that anyone’s voice can be cancelled for any reason by a small group of people. And Shelby County Schools silenced him for that.

Even in Tennessee, Educators Who Don’t Toe the Leftist Line Can Be Punished

Principal Thorne has filed suit in federal court against the school district, arguing that it has violated his rights under the First and Fourteenth Amendments, as well as the contract between himself and the district.

High school principal Barton Thorne reinstated following civil rights lawsuit – ABC 4 News

The Cordova High School principal placed on administrative leave after a controversial video is now suing Shelby County Schools, accusing the district of violating his First Amendment and contractual rights.

Suspended Cordova High School principal is now suing Shelby County Schools over controversial “free speech” video – ABC Local 24

Lawsuit filed against SCS after principal placed on leave, violates free speech – WMC Action News 5

The principal of Cordova High School is suing Shelby County Schools. Attorneys for Principal Barton Thorne claim his right to free speech was violated after he tried teaching a lesson to his students about free speech.

Suspended Cordova High School principal files lawsuit against district – News Channel 3 Memphis

A Shelby County School principal is suing the district after his suspension last month. Barton Thorne of Cordova High School was placed on paid administrative leave after comments he made over the district’s virtual learning platform.

Tennessee principal sues Shelby County Schools for violating First Amendment rights

Principal Thorne’s attorneys have filed a federal lawsuit against the district for violating his First Amendment and contractual rights for placing him on administrative leave for discussing current events and free speech with students.

High school principal sues after being suspended for talking to students about free speech and tolerance

Donor privacy is not just a “rich person’s problem” – Liberty Justice Center

Donor privacy is a free speech issue for everyday Americans – and it matters as much as it did during the civil rights movement. Today’s cancel culture has shown that no one’s education, job, or platform is safe from being canceled if they have said,...

Lawsuit challenges university’s authority to track students through data collection – The College Fix

In the lawsuit Gutterman v. Indiana University, four undergraduate Indiana University Bloomington students are suing the university and its President Michael McRobbie over privacy violations and breach of contract. This article written by Laura Williamson appeared on December 8, 2020 on The College Fix. ...

Appeals court hears media access case against Evers – Wisconsin Public Radio

In MacIver Institute v. Evers, the Liberty Justice Center represents journalist Bill Osmulski and the John K. MacIver Institute. Osmulski was unconstitutionally excluded from the Governor of Wisconsin’s press conferences, media alerts and public events. The following article by Shamane Mills appeared on Wisconsin Public...

Wisconsin Think Tank Fights Press Blacklisting at Seventh Circuit – Courthouse News

Order issued in Illinois Vote By Mail case

Late this afternoon a federal judge ruled in the lawsuit challenging Illinois’ new Vote By Mail program that ballot harvesting is illegal and political operatives cannot collect mass amounts of mail-in ballots and submit them to election authorities.

Judge Urged to Keep Montana Political Spending Rule – Beaumont Enterprise

The lawsuit announced Wednesday asks a federal judge to strike down Montana’s nearly year-old policy that requires certain businesses seeking contracts with the state to disclose donors and spending on elections.

Ill. Republicans Urge 7th Circ. to Revive Bid for Large Groups – Law 360

Daniel Suhr of the Liberty Justice Center argued the party should receive the same exemption as religious groups because both religious and political speech rights "live at the heart of the First Amendment." But Judge Barrett pushed back on that stance, saying the amendment itself...

Cook County GOP Sues to Block State’s Enhanced Vote-By-Mail Efforts – The Chicago Tribune

The suit alleges that while "voting is a fundamental, constitutional right that is central to our democracy," Pritzker "violated this right by signing into law a partisan voting scheme that is designed to harvest Democratic ballots, dilute Republican ballots, and, if the election still doesn’t...

Lawsuit: Illinois Expanded Mail Voting is Partisan Scheme – AP News

"More than any other state in the nation, Illinois has a track record of both corruption and incompetence – and its residents have no reason to believe that the government can conduct an honest and accurate vote-by-mail in the upcoming election," Sean Morrison, chairman of...

Cook County Republican Party files lawsuit challenging Illinois’ new Vote By Mail program

The Cook County Republican Party has filed a federal lawsuit challenging Illinois' new vote-by-mail program, arguing that the validity of election results will be in doubt if this program moves forward.

Leader of free speech law firm speaks out against cancel culture at Marquette University

Hughes warns that Marquette University should not discriminate based on political views or free speech expressions. This discrimination runs afoul of Marquette’s principles and could put the university’s federal funding at risk.

Republicans to appeal judge’s ruling on Gov. Pritzker’s gatherings ban

“Today’s order is disappointing but we are confident in our argument in favor of political parties’ right to equal treatment to exercise their First Amendment rights. We are immediately appealing the decision,” said Patrick Hughes, president and co-founder of the Liberty Justice Center.

Illinois Right to Life Files Federal Lawsuit Against Gov. Pritzker – WGEM News

Illinois Right to Life v. Pritzker challenges Illinois Gov. J.B Pritzker’s ban on gatherings of more than 10 people. The lawsuit highlights the arbitrary nature of the Executive Order as some groups can gather while other groups face restrictions. The lawsuit petitions the court to...

Illinois Anti-Abortion Group Sues Pritzker, Claims COVID-19 Gathering Limits Unconstitutional – The Chicago Tribune

Illinois Right to Life sues over ban on gatherings

To schedule an interview, contact media@libertyjusticecenter.org or 773-809-4403. CHICAGO (June 24, 2020) — Illinois Right to Life, the state’s largest nonprofit, pro-life organization, has filed a federal lawsuit against Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker over his limits on gatherings and overreach of his executive powers. Illinois Right to...

UPDATE: Illinois Governor Backs Down, Reinstates Chicago Radio Host Previously Banned From COVID Briefings – Townhall

Veteran Chicago journalist Amy Jacobson and the news station she reports for, Salem Media, filed a federal lawsuit against Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker after he announced Jacobson was no longer allowed at his media briefings. The lawsuit, Salem Media of Illinois, LLC v. Pritzker, was...

Illinois GOP Sues Gov. Pritzker Over Ban on Large Gatherings – WTTW News

Illinois Republican Party v. Pritzker challenges Illinois Gov. J.B. Prtizker’s ban on gatherings of more than 10 people. The lawsuit highlights the arbitrary nature of the Executive Order as some groups can gather while other groups face restrictions. The lawsuit petitions the court to allow...

Daniel Suhr Discusses Illinois Republicans Suing Gov. Pritzker Over Gathering Ban on WGN – WGN

The Illinois Republican Party and three local party committees sued Gov. Pritzker over his executive order banning group gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic. While Gov. Pritkzer has allowed groups he favors to gather and protest without consequence, other political activities are halted. Daniel Suhr, senior...

GOP Sues Pritzker Seeking Exemption From 10-Person Limit – AP News

Illinois Republican Party Sues Dem Governor Pritzker Over Right to Assemble During Coronavirus Lockdowns – Fox News

State GOP: Ban On Political Gatherings Violates Free Speech – Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

Illinois GOP Sue Over State’s Ten-Person Gathering Cap – Bloomberg Law

Calling Gov. J.B. Pritzker an ‘Unaccountable King,’ Illinois GOP Sues Over 10-Person Gathering Limit – The Chicago Tribune

Illinois Republican Party Sues Pritzker Over Right For Political Groups to Assemble During Pandemic – Chicago Sun Times

In response to federal lawsuit, Illinois governor invites Salem journalist Amy Jacobson back to his press briefings

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has invited Salem Media journalist Amy Jacobson back to his press briefings in response to a federal lawsuit filed against him and his press secretary.

Republicans sue Pritzker over ban on gatherings

The Illinois Republican Party and three local Republican party committees have filed a federal lawsuit against Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker over his ban on gatherings of more than 10 people.

Feder: WIND’s Amy Jacobson Suing Pritzker Over Ban From Media Briefings – Daily Herald

It’s On: Salem Sues Pritzker For Banning Radio Host That Broke Story On Pritzker Family’s Travels – Hot Air

‘Principle of It’: Mark Janus Fights to Get Union Dues Back After Supreme Court Win – The Washington Times

The excerpt below is from an article by James Varney that appeared May 31, 2020, on The Washington Times. The 2018 ruling known simply as Janus freed nonunion public employees from being forced to pay union dues, which the unions called “fees.” Mr. Janus...

Reporter Sues Pritzker in Federal Court to Gain Access to News Briefings – The Center Square

Salem Media Files Lawsuit Against Illinois Governor for Barring Radio Host from COVID Press Briefings – Townhall

'"I think they'd been looking for an excuse to get rid of me...All I want is to get back back in that press room. I've been asking questions in this town since 1996,' she says."

Salem Media, veteran journalist Amy Jacobson sue Illinois governor over exclusion from press briefings

Amy Jacobson, a journalist for Salem’s AM 560 The Answer in Chicago, broke news that the governor’s family had traveled to Wisconsin amid a statewide “stay-at-home” order. Now she is banned from the governor’s daily press briefings.

Federal judge strikes down NJ ‘donor disclosure’ law

(Mar. 11, 2020) In a major victory for free speech rights, a federal judge in New Jersey has permanently struck down a controversial law that violated the privacy of Americans.

Coming for the Lawyers – National Review

(Feb. 20, 2020) Charles Dickens recited a familiar complaint about lawyers in Bleak House when he wrote, “The one great principle of the English law is to make business for itself.”

Gov. Evers’ FOX 11 interview conflicts with his legal arguments in MacIver’s press access case

(Jan. 10, 2020) Liberty Justice Center encourages the governor’s team to adopt the openness to press that Evers conveyed in the interview.

Statement: Federal judge issues order in Montana donor privacy challenge

(Jan. 2, 2020) Today, a federal judge issued an order in the lawsuit Illinois Opportunity Project v. Bullock. The lawsuit challenges an executive order Gov. Bullock issued in 2018.

Groups Sue Toulouse Oliver Over Donor Disclosure – Santa Fe New Mexican

The Albuquerque-based Rio Grande Foundation and Illinois Opportunity Project argue that a new state law requiring stricter financial disclosure requirements for political issue advertisements is unconstitutional.

Both Sides Brandish First Amendment in Battle over Rhode Island Donor Disclosure Law – Boston Globe

Both sides enlist the First Amendment to make their case. Both sides talk about freedom of speech and the marketplace of ideas. But the two sides draw diametrically opposed conclusions.

Nonprofit groups challenge New Mexico disclosure law for violating free speech, privacy rights

SANTA FE, N.M. (Dec. 13, 2019) – Today two nonprofit organizations filed a federal lawsuit challenging New Mexico’s new overreaching donor disclosure law. The law limits free speech and privacy rights, and puts at risk the individuals who support nonpartisan advocacy groups. Every American has...

Nonpartisan advocacy groups challenge Rhode Island disclosure laws for violating free speech, privacy rights

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Nov. 22, 2019) – Yesterday two issue advocacy groups filed a federal lawsuit challenging Rhode Island’s stringent donor disclosure law which limits free speech and privacy rights, and puts at risk the individuals who support advocacy organizations. Every American should feel free to...

New Jersey donor disclosure law faces more roadblocks; advocacy groups welcome court’s scrutiny, skepticism over overreaching law

TRENTON, N.J. (Oct. 24, 2019) – A new court order has put the brakes on more facets of New Jersey’s controversial donor disclosure law – welcome news for advocacy groups who feared the overreaching law would stifle their free speech rights. The court order issued October...

New Jersey election officials sued over violation of free speech, privacy laws

CAMDEN, N.J. (Sept. 12, 2019) – A lawsuit filed today against New Jersey election officials aims to strike down a new state law that puts at risk individuals who support certain advocacy organizations. In June, Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law a proposal known as...

Conservative Group Challenging Montana Campaign Order – KULR8 News

LIberty Justice Center is challenging an executive order that requires organizations in Montana that receive large state contracts to report political contributions that exceed $2,500, even if those disclosures aren't required under federal election laws.

Free Market Group Sues Bullock Over ‘Dark Money’ Rule – Montana Public Radio

Group Files Challenge to Bullock’s Executive Order on ‘Dark Money’ and State Contracts – Helena Independent Record

One of the hallmark messages of Montana Gov. Steve Bullock's campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination is the subject of a lawsuit filed by the Liberty Justice Center this week in U.S. federal court in Helena.

Montana Governor Steve Bullock sued over violation of free speech, privacy laws

HELENA, Mont. (Aug. 28, 2019) – Americans’ right to support causes they believe in without fear of retaliation is at the center of a lawsuit filed today against Montana Gov. Steve Bullock and the head of that state’s procurement bureau. The lawsuit centers on an...

Democrat Governor Excludes Conservative News Service From Media List – The Daily Signal

This article was published by The Daily Signal on Aug. 22, 2019. It discusses the MacIver Institute v. Evers case filed by the Liberty Justice Center on August 6, 2019. When two reporters showed up at the Wisconsin governor’s office in February for a press briefing on...

Wisconsin Governor Sued for Barring Conservative Journalists from Briefing – Fox News

A conservative think tank in Wisconsin is suing the state’s governor, Tony Evers, amid allegations that his administration has denied journalists working for the group’s new service access to a budget press briefing and refused to add its reporters to the governor’s press list.

Conservative MacIver Institute Files Federal Lawsuit against Tony Evers Over Press Access – The Cap Times

This article was written by Briana Reilly and originally appeared in The Cap Times on Aug 7, 2019. The conservative MacIver Institute has filed a lawsuit against Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, alleging his office has excluded the outlet from media events. The suit, filed in federal...

Conservative Group Sues Tony Evers in Federal Court Over Media Access – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

This article was written by Molly Beck and originally appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Aug 7, 2019. MADISON – A conservative group alleges Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has violated its writers’ rights to free speech and equal access by not notifying them about the...

Conservative Think Tank Sues Wisconsin’s Evers Over Access – AP News

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A conservative think tank has filed a federal lawsuit against Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, alleging he violated the First Amendment rights of staff members who were denied access to a press briefing and kept off an advisory list sent to...

MacIver News Service sues Gov. Evers for equal access

A Wisconsin-based research and news outlet is suing Gov. Tony Evers for excluding its journalists from press briefings and refusing to provide them with press material that is shared with other news outlets.

Press Release: Liberty Principles PAC files lawsuit to suspend campaign contribution limits

CHICAGO (July 20, 2018) – Today Liberty Principles PAC filed a lawsuit asking a federal district court to immediately suspend Illinois’ campaign contribution limits for ”independent expenditure” groups in state races in which contribution limits have been eliminated for individuals and other groups.

Judge: Cannabis Companies Can Make Campaign Contributions – Associated Press

Mar. 31, 2017 Illinois’ medical marijuana companies, operating in an industry abounding with rules, now have one less regulation they have to follow. The Chicago Tribune (http://trib.in/2optGrA) reports that a federal judge ruled last week that a provision preventing cannabis companies from making campaign contributions...

First Amendment Victory Over Ban on Political Contributions from Medical Marijuana Businesses in Illinois – Reason

Mar. 24, 2017 The state of Illinois enacted in 2013 a pretty blatantly unconstitutional law forbidding businesses engaged in (legal) medical marijuana sales or growing from contributing to political campaigns, in effect either directly or via a PAC (though only the latter was literally codified)....

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