The Free Speech Project

After five-year struggle and a First Amendment lawsuit, Iowa blogger gains press credentials and wins financial settlement

A liberal blogger’s First Amendment lawsuit put an end to years of repeated denials of her requests for press access to the Iowa legislature.

Berkeley law student who interrupted social event at dean’s home in protest of Israel faces accusations of antisemitism

Controversy followed after a viral video emerged of a Palestinian American law student interrupting a dinner at the home of the University of California, Berkeley, law school dean. The dean, who ordered the student and others to leave, maintained that it was his right to limit speech on his personal property.

Federal lawsuit accuses Colorado legislature of suppressing Free Speech during debates over how to refer to transgender individuals

Conservative groups filed a federal lawsuit against the Colorado legislature, alleging that a set of rules preventing speakers from “deadnaming” or misgendering transgender people during public testimony violated the First Amendment.

Sierra Club sues city of Boise for ‘anti-protest’ noise ordinance

A prominent environmental lobbying group filed a

federal lawsuit against the city of Boise, which is Idaho’s capital, alleging a noise ordinance chilled Idahoans’ “rights to free expression” and was selectively enforced to arrest people who protested police killings and anti-abortion legislation.

University of Maryland suspends Greek life after hazing allegations; fraternities and a sorority sue

Students from fraternities and sororities at the University of Maryland (UMD) claimed their First Amendment rights were breached when the university suspended their ability to hold social events. After four fraternities filed a lawsuit, university leaders lifted the suspension for all but five chapters. Despite the suspension’s lifting, a sorority also filed a lawsuit, claiming university officials “trampled on the constitutional rights of all the women who are members of sororities.”

Cleveland City Council amends strict public comment rules, settling federal Free Speech lawsuit

The Cleveland City Council president cut off a speaker reading a list of campaign contributions from the president’s political action committee, which led to a federal lawsuit. When the suit was settled, new public comment rules were put into place.

Cleveland City Council amends strict public comment rules, settling federal Free Speech lawsuit