Monday, July 15, 2019
#FREESPEECH IN THE NEWS: July 15, 2019
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.) Some want 10-foot Trump sign down, but town says it's free speech
Oakdale resident Alan Herrick says he is within his rights to display his 10-foot Trump sign on his front lawn despite objections from some neighbors — and Islip officials agree, calling it free speech.
The plywood sign that reads “GOOD JOB TRUMP” has been suspended high on Herrick’s lawn against two wooden poles for about a year. As news events played out during President Donald Trump’s time in office, Herrick has added messages to the homemade sign, including “BUILD THAT WALL” and “TRUMP 2020.” He also fastened an open toilet seat and cover to the bottom of it with lettering on the seat — CNN, NBC and CBS. The words "FAKE NEWS" are written in marker. Another additon to the sign reads: “NO COLLOSION” [sic] “CRY BABIES.”
Islip spokeswoman Caroline Smith said the town has received two complaints about the sign and code enforcement workers have investigated. The sign is on private property, and not on Islip land, and does not need a permit, Smith said.
Ex-GOP lawmaker Bruce Poliquin directed sneaker customers towards New Balance shoes after Nike canceled its “Betsy Ross flag” line over reported objections from Colin Kaepernick.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the ex-NFL player disapproved of Nike’s “Air Max 1 Quick Strike Fourth of July” shoes for their new “Betsy Ross flag” imprint. Nike reportedly axed the $140 sneakers on June 26 before Tuesday’s release and after orders were shipped. The early version of the American flag, named after Betsy Ross, the seamstress who allegedly stitched the first one in 1776, had 13 stars for the 13 colonies. According to Newsweek, the flag symbolized to many the era of slavery.
Senator Ted Cruz created the hashtag #walkawayfromNike, citing free speech.
“I love America. I stand for the anthem, respect the flag & honor the men & women who fought to defend our Nation,” Cruz tweeted. “I respect Free Speech & I’m exerting mine: until Nike ends its contempt for those values, I WILL NO LONGER PURCHASE NIKE PRODUCTS…”
3.) She urged her boyfriend to die. Now she’s asking the Supreme Court to call it free speech.
In a petition for Supreme Court review, filed on Monday, lawyers for Michelle Carter, 22, are asking the justices to vacate Carter’s conviction for involuntary manslaughter in the July 2014 death of Roy, who poisoned himself with carbon monoxide in a Kmart parking lot in Fairhaven, Mass., after exchanging text messages and speaking twice on the phone with Carter on that summer day. She lived about 50 miles away in Plainville, Mass.
Calling her conviction “unprecedented,” the petition points to decisions in other states invalidating findings of culpability in cases of assisted suicide and cyberstalking. It claims that Carter’s right to free speech under the First Amendment shields her from criminal responsibility because her involvement was limited to “words alone.”
The new chapter in the explosive case, which captured international attention, opened the same week that a documentary about the events, “I Love You, Now Die: The Commonwealth v. Michelle Carter,” airs on HBO.
