First Amendment rights News

Fishing Community Mayor, Top Officials Off the Hook in Retaliation Claims

The mayor and other city officials in the fishing community of Gloucester, Massachusetts are protected under qualified immunity against claims by the city’s harbormaster that they violated his First Amendment rights. The harbormaster sued the mayor, city solicitor, chief administrative …

Kansas Police Chief Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Seizure of Reporter’s Cellphone During Newspaper Raid

One of the reporters who works at the small Kansas newspaper that was raided by authorities earlier this month filed a federal lawsuit against the police chief Wednesday. Deb Gruver believes Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody violated her constitutional rights …

Protester Sues Police for Over Arrest Near Maine Home of Federalist Society’s Leo

A demonstrator arrested outside the home of conservative legal activist Leonard Leo contends police violated his First Amendment rights. Eli Durand-McDonnell, 24, of Bar Harbor, contends in a federal lawsuit filed Thursday that two police officers singled him out among …

Cleveland to Pay $540,000 to 12 Arrested in Racial Protests

Twelve people arrested while peacefully protesting in downtown Cleveland in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd will receive a $540,000 settlement from the city, according to an attorney for the protesters. Some of the 12 also received minor injuries …

Small New Hampshire Town Political Spats Devolve Into Defamation, Free Speech Claims

The small town of Gilmanton, New Hampshire and a selectman who owns a winery have successfully defended themselves against multiple claims of defamation brought by a well-known and politically active local couple. But the town must face further legal proceedings …

Louisiana Court: Protest Leader Can be Sued For Cop’s Injury

A Louisiana police officer injured when violence broke out over the police killing of a Black man in Baton Rouge in 2016 has grounds to pursue a lawsuit against a protest organizer, Louisiana’s Supreme Court said last week. The 6-1 …

More Capitol Hill Rioters Face Firings Back at Work

A printing company in Maryland saw the photo on Twitter Wednesday night: an employee roaming the halls of the U.S. Capitol with a company badge around his neck. He was fired the next day. Others are facing similar repercussions at …

Former Delaware Administrative Officer’s Defamation Suit To Move Forward

A judge says New Castle County, Delaware’s former chief administrative officer can proceed with a defamation suit over his firing last year by County Executive Tom Gordon. While dismissing David Grimaldi’s claims that his firing violated his First Amendment rights …