First Amendment

California green-lights first-in-nation social media transparency law

California now features a first-in-the-nation law requiring social media companies to publicly post their policies regarding hate speech, disinformation, harassment and extremism on their platforms, and report data on their enforcement of the policies. Social media companies through their Internet Coalition and other trade associations vigorously opposed the law authorized through AB 587. Court challenges are being considered, trade groups said. Gov, Gavin Newsom signed…


Issa attempt to outlaw Vista protests fails

Attempts to restrict peaceful protests outside the district office of embattled Rep. Darrell Issa (R-49th District) have failed. The City of Vista Wednesday, June 28 issued a three-month permit this week allowing the rallies to continue. The weekly protests, launched as Resist Trump Tuesdays after the January inauguration, have become the largest and longest-running congressional rallies in the nation, regularly drawing 300–to- 800 citizens. Following a July…


Issa: Get off the roof, support free speech

It’s time for Congressman Darrell Issa to come down from the roof and support the First Amendment. Our First Amendment freedoms ensure that anger and political disagreement don’t fester into violence. — Edward Sifuentes On May 30, Rep. Darrell Issa’s San Diego County constituents saw a different side of the nine-term member of Congress. Angry at peaceful protesters outside his district office building in Vista,…


ACLU to Vista: Get real on Issa protests

“Nothing is more American than political protest. We’ve worked cooperatively with the city of Vista and law enforcement, but we will not back down from defending the First Amendment. I am very happy that the ACLU has taken this case on behalf of me, and on behalf of constituents in California District 49, who have the right to freedom of speech.” — Ellen Montanari, Indivisible…