Tag Archives: First Amendment

Legislation signed into law in Kansas last week will sharply restrict women’s access to abortions, part of a nationwide assault on reproductive rights. The language of the bill “declares the life of each human being begins at fertilization, with all state laws to be interpreted and construed to protect the rights, privileges, and immunities of the unborn child, subject only to the U.S. Constitution and the judicial decisions and interpretations of the U.S. Supreme Court.” Although the statute gives a …

The New Mexico Supreme Court heard arguments last week over whether a photographer can refuse to take pictures of a same-sex wedding. In Elane Photography v. Willock, the court will decide whether the photography studio acted in violation of the New Mexico Human Rights Act when its owners declined to shoot the commitment ceremony of Vanessa Willock and her partner, citing religious beliefs. The New Mexico Human Rights Commission found that Elane violated the law, a decision that has twice …

Yet another part of Arizona’s controversial 2010 immigration law has been blocked from enactment – this time by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which on Mar. 4 said SB 1070’s targeting of “traffic obstructions” by day laborers violates their First Amendment right to commercial speech. A lower federal court in February 2012 issued an injunction blocking two of the law’s sections that make it illegal both to try, from a car, to hire day laborers and to be …

Following a federal appeals court ruling that Hobby Lobby can’t delay complying with the contraception mandate in the “Obamacare” legislation, the company’s Christian owners say they will appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.  The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in November denied Lobby owner David Green’s attempt to skirt the mandate, which goes into effect January 1, 2013, based on his argument that it violates his religious freedom. On Dec. 21, the court said no to Green’s request to …

The Internet offers a treasure trove of consumers’ opinions on everything from car tires to dentists. So it’s inevitable that freedom of expression would bump up against some limits. Lawsuits known as SLAPPs – for Strategic Limitation Against Public Participation – present a growing problem for freedom of speech on the Internet. While not everyone can avoid getting SLAPPed with a meritless yet expensive lawsuit, there are steps you can take to avoid it when you express your opinion online. …