Posts Tagged ‘New York’

Speech News |

Mixed decision in Dead Sea Scrolls case

New York appeals court throws out identity theft charge against Raphael Golb but preserves convictions on several other charges.

Freedom Of Information News |

N.Y. newspaper removes handgun-permit data from website

Journal News takes down the information just three days after the state enacts a gun-control law that includes privacy provisions for permit holders.

Featured Post • Freedom Of Information Commentary |

N.Y. gun law turns public records private

State Legislature gives gun-permit holders wide latitude to keep their records out of public view. Also:

Freedom Of Information News |

N.Y. gun bill touches on public-records law

Provision would limit state Freedom of Information Law to protect handgun owners from being identified publicly.

Religion In Public Life News |

Federal judge won’t halt NYC circumcision regulation

Group of ultra-Orthodox rabbis had asked court to block city health officials from requiring written parental consent for circumcision rite.

Press Commentary |

Misfire: Gun-permit controversy leads to flawed legislation

Maryland legislator’s bill to prohibit newspapers from publishing information about firearm owners is a baffling backlash against a New York paper’s release of such public records.

Freedom Of Information Commentary |

What’s at stake in publishing public records such as gun permits

A free press must report on behalf of us all, with access to public information, to hold officials accountable for their decisions.

Speech Analysis |

2nd Circuit reinstates lawsuit in middle-finger arrest

N.Y. couple pulled over after man flipped off police at speed trap claim violation of Fourth, First Amendment rights.

Freedom Of Information News |

N.Y. county clerk: Release of gun data endangers public

President of publishers group says editors may debate whether The Journal News should have published database, but they fully back its right to access records under state law.

Freedom Of Information News • Press News |

N.Y. county won’t give gun info to newspaper

Putnam County clerk says releasing pistol-permit information could endanger permit holders, and that when freedom of information laws arose, ‘there was no social media, there was no Google maps.’

Speech News |

N.Y. teacher had First Amendment right to protest in parked car

Appeals court finds that parking outside a school in the rain and displaying signs was protected speech on a matter of public concern, turning aside district’s claims of traffic hazard.

Press News |

N.Y. newspaper’s handgun-permit map draws criticism

Critics say publishing names and addresses of all permit holders puts gun owners and non-owners alike at risk, and appears to suggest that owning a weapon is wrong.

Assembly News |

Occupy protester with subpoenaed tweets pleads guilty

Defense attorney says Malcolm Harris wanted to plead guilty to disorderly conduct so he could focus on appealing the judge’s decision to hand over his Twitter messages to the prosecution.

Speech News |

Case reinstated for NYC officer who opposed arrest quotas

2nd Circuit panel says the district court acted too quickly in dismissing Chris Matthews’ retaliation lawsuit without further factfinding.

First Amendment Analysis |

Court rejects First Amendment concept in Second Amendment case

Upholding New York handgun-permit law, 2nd Circuit panel refuses to view concealed-carry license requirement as a ‘prior restraint’ on a fundamental right.

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About The First Amendment Center

We support the First Amendment and build understanding of its core freedoms through education, information and entertainment.

The center serves as a forum for the study and exploration of free-expression issues, including freedom of speech, of the press and of religion, and the rights to assemble and to petition the government.

Founded by John Seigenthaler, the First Amendment Center is an operating program of the Freedom Forum and is associated with the Newseum and the Diversity Institute. The center has offices in the John Seigenthaler Center at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., and at the Newseum in Washington, D.C.

The center’s programs, including the Religious Freedom Education Project at the Newseum, provide education and information to the public and groups including First Amendment scholars and experts, educators, government policy makers, legal experts and students. The center is nonpartisan and does not lobby, litigate or provide legal advice. See First Amendment Center Fact Sheet and FAQs. See internships info.

The center’s website, www.firstamendmentcenter.org, is one of the most authoritative sources of news, information and commentary in the nation on First Amendment issues. It features daily updates on news about First Amendment-related developments, as well as detailed reports about U.S. Supreme Court cases involving the First Amendment, and commentary, analysis and special reports on free expression, press freedom and religious-liberty issues. Support the work of the First Amendment Center.

1 For All

1 for All is a national nonpartisan program designed to build understanding and support for First Amendment freedoms. 1 for All provides teaching materials to the nation’s schools, supports educational events on America’s campuses and reminds the public that the First Amendment serves everyone, regardless of faith, race, gender or political leanings. It is truly one amendment for all. Visit 1 for All at http://1forall.us/

Help tomorrow’s citizens find their voice: Teach the First Amendment

The most basic liberties guaranteed to Americans – embodied in the 45 words of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution – assure Americans a government that is responsible to its citizens and responsive to their wishes.

These 45 words are as alive and important today as they were more than 200 years ago. These liberties are neither liberal nor conservative, Democratic nor Republican – they are the basis for our representative democratic form of government.

We know from studies beginning in 1997 by the nonpartisan First Amendment Center, and from studies commissioned by the Knight Foundation and others, that few adult Americans or high school students can name the individual five freedoms that make up the First Amendment.

The lesson plans – drawn from materials prepared by the Newseum and the First Amendment Center – will draw young people into an exploration of how their freedoms began and how they operate in today’s world. Students will discuss just how far individual rights extend, examining rights in the school environment and public places. The lessons may be used in history and government, civics, language arts and journalism, art and debate classes. They may be used in sections or in their entirety. Many of these lesson plans indicate an overall goal, offer suggestions on how to teach the lesson and list additional resources and enrichment activities.

See more about lesson plans.

First Amendment Moot Court Competition

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution – the cornerstone of American democracy – is the focus of the National First Amendment Moot Court Competition. Recognized as one of the nation's finest constitutional-law competitions, this annual event features a current First Amendment controversy.

During the two-day competition in February, each team will participate in a minimum of four rounds, arguing a hypothetical based on a current First Amendment controversy before panels of accomplished jurists, legal scholars and attorneys.

Past participants in the National First Amendment Moot Court Competition have represented law schools nationwide, from Brooklyn Law School to Duke University to Arizona State to Harvard.

The 23rd Annual National First Amendment Moot Court Competition is Feb. 21-22, 2013. See registration information and details about the competition.

FIRST AMENDMENT CENTER ARCHIVES

State of the First Amendment survey reports

The State of the First Amendment surveys, commissioned since 1997 by the First Amendment Center and Newseum, are a regular check on how Americans view their first freedoms of speech, press, assembly, religion and petition.

The periodic surveys examine public attitudes toward freedom of speech, press, religion and the rights of assembly and petition; and sample public opinion on contemporary issues involving those freedoms. See the reports.