Monday, April 16, 2018
#FREESPEECH IN THE NEWS: APRIL 16, 2018
As the Citadel of Free Speech here in Cleveland, we work to protect and promote the basis of our democracy by sharing related stories, commentary, and opinions on free speech in the 21st century. Here's what's making the news – and what you should know about – in the past week.
1.) Street Preacher Says Springfield's Noise Ordinance Infringes on Free Speech Right
A street preacher in Springfield, Missouri, says his first amendment right to free speech was violated after he was arrested for making too much noise.
Aaron Brummitt, 34, the pastor of Lighthouse Anabaptist Church, was arrested on the night of Good Friday (March 30). Brummitt was using a set of speaking in the downtown square to amplify is his message as he spoke to the crowds, and police say this was in violation of an ordinance regulating the use of amplified sound in public spaces. In order to use the speakers, they say he should have applied for a permit.
Brummitt was also ticketed repeatedly and arrested in 2013 for violating noise ordinances. The city says the ordinance does not impede the content of hisspeech,and therefore is not violating his first amendment rights.
2.) Reddit continues to protect racist language in favor of free speech
Reddit is in trouble over its stance on free speech again, after a user complaint citing the use of hate speech being allowed on the platform.
Reddit is a forum featuring hundreds of topics, all chosen by the users. The platform’s CEO, Steve Huffman, believes silencingany onevoice is antithetical to the platform.
“On Reddit, the way in which we think aboutspeechis to separate behavior from beliefs,” Huffman clarified. “This means on Reddit there will be people with beliefs different from your own, sometimes extremely so.” He later added, “To be perfectly clear, while racism itself isn’t against the rules, it’s not welcome here.”
The site if one of few social media sites without an outright ban on hate speech.
3.) Federal trial begins in Charleston tour guide "free speech" lawsuit
In Charleston, South Carolina, all tour guides are required to be licensed with the city. This law has led to a federal lawsuit accusing the city of violated guides’ free speech rights.
Hosting paid tours in the city requires a business license, and in order to obtain the license tour guides much pass a written exam. The two-hour exam asks 200 questions based on the 490-page tour guide training manual, including questions about the city’s history. Guides must receive a score of 70 percent to pass.
In 2016, a group of would-be guides filed suit saying in requiring this test, the city is controlling who has a right to speak to the public about the city. They also say the requirement is unnecessary and implement for the purpose of generating income from tour guides.
