The Supreme Court announced in January 2021 that it would hear two cases that could have a major impact on free speech, freedom of belief, and freedom of association.
The first case involves California’s attempt to force conservative groups to hand over donor lists. Another involves a school’s erroneous belief that it could penalize a student for comments made off-campus, on her social media account. The decisions in these two cases are certain to have an outsize impact on First Amendment rights throughout the nation.
The consolidated case of Thomas More Law Center v. Becerra and Americans for Prosperity v. Becerra started in the Golden State in 2015 when then-California AG Kamala Harris ordered the above-mentioned organizations to turn their donor lists over to the state government. The organizations refused, rightly stating that their donors would be harassed and threatened if their names were made public. A lower court agreed with the conservative organization, but was overturned on appeal. The case, which is now before the Supreme Court, could either put the brakes on liberal politicians eager to go after their conservative rivals, or give them a green light to do exactly that.
The second case involves a young woman known only as B.L. Her case, Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L. may not seem as serious as the above-mentioned case, but could have a far-reaching impact on schooling. In 2017, B.L took to social media to complain about the fact that she didn’t make the varsity cheerleading squad. In a profanity-laden post, she used the f-word when referring to school, softball, cheer, and everything. Not surprisingly, school officials were less than pleased and B.L.’s coach promptly suspended her from the cheer team.
B.L. and her parents successfully sued the school, and a lower court has already noted that educational institutions have no right to discipline students for off-campus speech. The school is asking the Supreme Court to overturn the ruling. If the court follows the school’s wishes, it would allow every single school in the nation to discriminate against any student that says anything officials don’t agree with — even outside of school. Conservative and even moderately liberal students would be in danger of suspension or even expulsion for social media posts that don’t adhere to school guidelines.
Freedom of speech, belief, press, and association are the foundation of any free society. It’s tempting to dismiss the threats that these cases pose as the court has a conservative majority. However, the fact that these cases are there in the first place is a warning sign.
What? Where was all this during Obama term? The last hundred years? This is VIOLENCE AGAINST people RIGHTS! The CONSTITUTION LAWS WAS WRITTEN TO GIVE US A VOICE IN THE CONGRESS AND OVER THE GOVERNMENT! No it has not been changed to mean anything else! Just a bunch of liberal who INTELLIGENT can’t accept the fact they are WRONG!
What has happened to the Supreme Court, they have closed their eyes to the injustice that the Democrats have done in this county. Too is onlooker seems as if they have a ton of dirt on the chief justice and if that is a possibility, then we are going to be circling the drain very shortly.
IF THE SUPREME COURT IS IN THE BAG, THEN WE HAVE NO CHANCE AT ALL.
I agree with your statement the Supreme Court has closed there eye just
Like Roberts what a traitor, I’m so glad that people like us that we Patriot
to this country. I did two tours of and I know what’s it like to for Justice
America has Fallen
Any judges that makes a vertict against the freedom of this country should be thrown off the bench and not allowed too run for any office weather City start or government.
Yes we the people have a right to freedom of speech even when others disagree!!
Yes!!! I agree.
These are clear 1st amendment cases. Government nor anyone else have the right to see donor list except what is made public by consent. What would be their purpose other than to discriminate. And no, schools don’t have any jurisdiction over what a student says outside of school. Anywhere, anytime.
I agree !!!
Agreed!!!
Free speech is a basic & constitutional right in our country. We MUST maintain our freedoms!
Yes we all have a right to our opinion. It is called freedom of speech!
I guess we will see if the people placed on this court have the guts to make the right decision and stand up for the constitution. So far, they have shown that they do not have the guts to uphold anything. That they are more concerned about what is said about them or if they are politically correct, or they are just too afraid to do what is right. At one time, you could depend on the courts to make constitutional decisions. Now, they run w their tails between their legs, afraid to speak out against injustice and corruption.
Men and women of the courts, uphold your seat on the supreme court with dignity and truth.
Do not pander to social pressure but stand on the constitution and the things that made this country great.
Right now it is needed more than ever before. We the people are depending on your ability to set aside all partisanship and do your job. Work for order and justice. Abide by the law and the constitution. Don’t be a bunch of mamby pamby idiots, get some guts and do your job the way it should be done.
Do not make your court a nondecisive, weak kangaroo court.
DO YOUR JOB!
Roberts will be the first one to cave as he has no pair or spine
Agreed!!!
All judges are afraid to do anything. If the Democrats disagree with a judges decision that judge and their families will be terrorised by antifa and blm. Also known as the Democrats personal terror squad. This is why no judge in this country wanted to look at all of the MASSIVE ELECTION FRAUD, cowards! The Democrats are scared, because they know that they cheated on the election. Now they have more enemies in this country than they know. MARK MY WORDS, HELL IS COMING FOR THEM.
THESE SOUND SERIOUS IN REFERENCE TO “FREE SPEACH”!!!!!!! THE Supreme Court…..HAS ALREADY PROVEN THAT THEY CAN NOT AND WILL NOT PROTECT THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA??????? THE LAST SO MANY LAW SUITS THAT WAS PRESENTED TO THEM……THEY READ ONLY ONE WORD!!!!!! AND DISMISSED ALL SUITS IN REFERENCE TO THAT ONE WORD?????? THEY DID NOT READ ANY OF THE ACTUAL SUITS????? SO HOW CAN WE TRUST THAT THEY CAN DO THE JOB THEY TOOK AN OATH FOR????????? FOR WHAT THE MEDIA REPORTED…..JUDGE ROBERTS SPOKE FOR ALL THE JUDGES??????? HIS HATRED TOOK OVER AND THE JOB DID NOT GET ATTENTION IT DESERVED?????????? SO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL SUFFER A “GREAT” DEAL……AND THAT AMOUNTS TO JOBS A PLACE TO LIVE AND PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES??????????? ETC…………
Unless the court stands up for the constitution all our liberties will fall one by one we are nation formed on the promise of personal rights and liberties nothing is said about the crybaby wimpy words of overpaid politicians and people in Hollywood and sports!!!!! Stand up for the Truth of The Constitution