A Christian man in Los Angeles is suing his employer, the Department of Public Works, claiming that being forced to see a Pride flag on his way into work during June has violated his constitutional rights. Eric Batman, an employee of the department for over two decades, contends that the presence of the Progress Pride flag flying outside the department’s Alhambra headquarters constitutes a form of compelled endorsement of conduct that conflicts with his deeply held Christian beliefs, which he views as sinful. The lawsuit, filed in March by the Liberty Counsel, an anti-LGBTQ+ evangelical nonprofit, asserts that this daily exposure creates a hostile work environment and negatively impacts his ability to perform his duties.… Continue reading
A federal judge has ruled that the National Park Service cannot prevent a protest group from flying an “86-47” flag near the National Mall, finding the display does not constitute a threat to President Trump’s life. The judge determined that while “86” can sometimes mean “to kill,” its more common usage, particularly in the context of protests calling for impeachment and “removal,” signifies being “thrown out” or no longer available. This decision, which temporarily restricts the NPS from removing the flags, highlights the delicate balance between protected political speech and unlawful threats. The ruling comes amid heightened concerns about political violence and a separate federal prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey over the same numerical phrase.
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A federal judge has ruled that an anti-Trump group, Accountability Now USA, can continue flying a flag near the National Mall that reads “86-47.” This decision comes as a significant victory for free speech advocates and a setback for the government’s attempt to restrict the display. The judge granted a restraining order, preventing the National Park Service from interfering with the group’s demonstration and their prominent display of the flag.
The judge’s reasoning centers on the interpretation of “86-47.” It was determined that this numerical code is intended to advocate for President Trump’s removal from office, specifically through impeachment. Crucially, the court found that “86” is not an unambiguous call for political violence, nor is it an incitement to “imminent” violence.… Continue reading
Ball State University has settled a lawsuit for $225,000 with a former employee whose termination over a private Facebook post about conservative activist Charlie Kirk was alleged to violate her free-speech rights. The university cited significant campus disruption and potential harm to enrollment and fundraising as reasons for the dismissal, but the ACLU argued the employee was speaking as a private citizen on a matter of public concern, protected by the First Amendment. This settlement follows similar cases where employees were terminated for social media comments about Kirk’s death, resulting in six-figure settlements for the affected individuals.
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Recently released body camera footage depicts Tulsa police ordering the anti-war group Food Not Bombs (FNB) to cease their meal distribution to the homeless and subsequently arresting four activists. The arrests occurred after the activists asserted their First Amendment rights, while police cited the need for a special permit and public health concerns. This incident is part of an ongoing conflict where groups like FNB view feeding the needy as a form of protected expression, a stance supported by some federal court rulings, while city governments often deem unpermitted food distribution a public health issue. Despite FNB’s claims of consistent, uneventful distributions for years, Tulsa police maintained that the group had been repeatedly notified about permit requirements and had previously caused disruptions and left behind debris.
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Larry Bushart has settled his federal lawsuit for $835,000 after being wrongfully jailed for 37 days over an anti-Trump meme posted on Facebook. The meme was misinterpreted by local law enforcement as a threat of mass violence, leading to Bushart’s arrest based on a flawed affidavit. This settlement serves as compensation for the injustice Bushart endured and aims to send a message to law enforcement nationwide about respecting First Amendment rights.
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Tennessee officials have agreed to a $835,000 settlement with Larry Bushart, a retired police officer who was incarcerated for 37 days after sharing a Facebook meme. The meme, which referenced an Iowa school shooting and included a quote attributed to Donald Trump, was deemed threatening by authorities despite Bushart’s insistence that it was protected speech. This case highlights a rare instance where online expression led to criminal prosecution, resulting in significant personal and professional repercussions for Bushart. The settlement underscores the importance of respecting First Amendment rights, particularly in times of heightened tension and civil discourse.
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Tennessee officials have settled a lawsuit for $835,000 with a man who was jailed for over a month following a Facebook post. The individual, a retired police officer, was arrested and charged with a felony after refusing to remove memes that joked about the assassination of a conservative activist. Despite the sheriff acknowledging most posts were protected speech, fear over a school shooting meme, which authorities believed was intentionally created to cause hysteria, led to the arrest. The man spent 37 days in jail, missing significant family events, before the charges were dropped, leading to the federal lawsuit and subsequent settlement.
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New York Times reporter David Sanger responded to President Donald Trump’s accusation of “treasonous” reporting by asserting that journalistic inquiry is not treason and is, in fact, a fundamental First Amendment responsibility. Trump had levied the accusation during a confrontation on Air Force One, criticizing Sanger’s coverage of the Iran conflict and claiming it was “fake news.” Both Sanger and The New York Times emphasized that reporting accurately, especially when government claims do not align with reality, is vital to a free press. CNN’s Jake Tapper also condemned Trump’s remarks, calling them “deranged and potentially dangerous.”
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Following the removal of a rainbow crosswalk, Key West residents painted their fences in similar colors, leading to city fines. The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a federal lawsuit challenging these penalties on First Amendment grounds, alleging selective enforcement against LGBTQ+ expression. The lawsuit contends that while the city cited a lesbian couple for their rainbow fence, other homes with non-compliant colored features were ignored, suggesting a politically motivated suppression of LGBTQ+ messaging. This legal action highlights concerns about censorship and state overreach in the suppression of free expression.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker