Study disputes Supreme Court’s reputation as First Amendment advocate

A study for the Brennan Center for Justice found that notwithstanding its reputation, the Roberts Supreme Court is ruling for free speech at a lower rate than the courts led by three previous chief justices. In responding to the study, some point out that numbers don’t tell the entire story that the court had made [...]

Supreme Court blocks advising terrorists in non-violence

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected free speech arguments in ruling 6-3 that U.S. organizations could not provide non-violent legal training or advice to designated terrorist groups. -db McClatchy Newspapers June 21, 2010 By Michael Doyle WASHINGTON, D.C.  — The Supreme Court on Monday bolstered law enforcement in national security cases, permitting prosecution of U.S. organizations [...]

Vague standards challenge Supreme Court in decisions on cases involving “material support” to terrorists

In deciding cases challenging the law forbidding support for terrorist organizations, the Supreme Court must consider that laws should provide clarity about which acts are illegal. -db The New York Times Commentary February 23, 2010 By John Farmer Jr. Notwithstanding the finger-pointing (and judicial head-shaking) since the Supreme Court’s decision last month on corporate speech, [...]

Supreme Court hears First Amendment case over right to talk with terrorist groups

The Supreme Court heard arguments over a challenge to laws fobidding “training,” “service” or “expert advice or assistance” to terrorist groups. A retired lawyer is seeking the right to provide support for the nonviolent activities of a Kurdish party and a Tamil group both classified as terrorist organizations. -db The New York Times February 23, 2010 [...]

Supreme Court to review Patriot Act for possible First Amendment breaches

The Christian Science Monitor September 30, 2009 By Warren Richey The Supreme Court has announced that it will rule on a case brought by a human rights organization in support of individuals working with two groups classified as terrorist. The individuals believe their First Amendment rights are curbed by the Patriot Act which bars an association [...]