First Amendment News
9th Circuit Panel Rejects Religious School’s Use of Ministerial Exception, Creates Circuit Split
A religious school in California cannot use the “ministerial exception” to label one of its former teachers and, therefore, avoid her disability discrimination lawsuit, a divided federal appeals court has
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Professor Justin Driver Delivers a Powerful Work on School Law and the Constitution
Those interested in learning more about constitutional law issues arising in the public schools would be well advised to check out Professor Justin Driver’s new book The Schoolhouse Gate: Public
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The Case of Manuel Duran Ortega Deserves Close Examination
While these criminal charges were dropped, local officials turned Duran Ortega over to the Department of Homeland Security. Duran Ortega left El Salvador in 2006 and escaped into the United States. He had to leave El Salvador because a rival television station convinced law enforcement in El Salvador to arrest him on trumped-up charges.
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Federal Appeals Court Rules Letter Possessed by Jailhouse Lawyer Not Protected Speech
A Wisconsin-based inmate did not have a First Amendment right to help another inmate draft a group petition, a federal appeals court has ruled. The decision is disturbing and shows the lack of respect that some courts have for inmates’ free-speech rights.
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Gay Rights Activist and Supreme Court Victor Left His Mark on the First Amendment
Raymond Wayne Hill, who passed away at the age of 78 on November 24, was known for his championing of gay rights causes and his social activism. He co-founded Houston’s first LGBTQ organization, helped to galvanize the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, and served as executive director of the Houston Human Rights League.
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Rhetorical Hyperbole Protects Free Speech
Rhetorical hyperbole is a concept important to the protection of free speech under the First Amendment. Many benefit from the principle, including protestors, sportswriters, editorialists and even the President of
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Podcast: Free Spirits, or Discussing the State of the First Amendment Over Drinks
What do Americans know about the First Amendment, and how do they feel about issues like social media policies, campus speech and the relationship between the press and the President?
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‘Freedom’ is best response to white supremacy hatemongers
Attempts to censor neo-Nazis, white supremacists and other hate groups is a betrayal of our nation’s core principles — not to mention ineffective and counterproductive.
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Podcast: Protecting Dissent
While most people are distracted by watching the White House, states are trying to pass laws that will chill the freedom to protest.
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Podcast: Context, Please
How can the news media help people understand complex issues? By providing a little context.
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