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The Constitution's framers believed that freedom of inquiry and free expression were the hallmarks of a democratic society. But historically, at times of national stress — real or imagined — First Amendment rights come under enormous pressure. During the Red Scare of the early 1920s, thousands were deported for their political views.
During the McCarthy period, the infamous blacklist ruined lives and careers. Today, the creators, producers and distributors of popular culture are being blamed for the nation's deep social problems. Calls for censorship threaten to erode free speech.
The First Amendment exists precisely to protect the most offensive and controversial speech from government suppression. The best way to counter obnoxious speech is with more speech. Persuasion, not coercion, is the solution.
Resources
Free pocket cards of the following resources are available by contacting our office at 215-592-1513 x122 or emailing us at aclupa@aclupa.org.
Press Releases
Legal Cases
- Governor Mifflin School District (School district has unconstitutional Internet filters that block sites that support LGBT individuals as well as advocacy sites that it labels as "intolerant")
- Montgomery v. City of Philadelphia, et al. (Philadelphia police arrest and charge man for recording an arrest)
- Rizer v. Lukart (Man arrested for recording police officer)
- Chosen Ministries, et al. v. City of Philadelphia (City of Philadelphia forcing religious groups to stop feeding the homeless in public parks)
- Fiorino v. City of Philadelphia, et al. (Gun rights advocate retaliated against by Philadelphia police)
- Coffin v. City of Philadelphia (Man arrested for leafleting on public sidewalk)
- NAACP v. City of Philadelphia, et al. (NAACP advocacy billboards rejected by Philadelphia airport )
- Wagner v. Hannon, et al. (Borough councilman arrested and strip searched for complaining to police chief and mayor )
- Piper v. City of Pittsburgh, et al. (Bystander suffered permanent hearing loss after Pittsburgh police used a Long Range Acoustic Device against G-20 protesters in 2009)
- B.H. and K.M. v. Easton Area School District (Students punished for wearing I (heart) boobies cancer awareness bracelets)
- Brajovic v. Borough of Blawnox (Borough officials harassing two goverment watchdogs)
- Armstrong, et al. v. City of Pittsburgh, et al. (Police illegally arrested protesters and observers immediately after G-20.)
- PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (State agency forbids all free speech activities in state parks without prior written permission)
- Walters v. Zubris (Man arrested for swearing at a police officer)
- Scarpa v. Pawlowski, et al (Woman charged with disorderly conduct for swearing)
- George v. TSA (College student arrested at airport for having Arabic language flashcards in carry-on luggage)
- DeRosa v. Doe (Township supervisor sues to get identity of anonymous Internet critics)
- Myers v. Borough of Penbrook (Woman told she can't display "You're in Steelers Country" banner on her front porch other than on game days)
- Friends of Animals v. National Park Service (Protestors not allowed on sidewalks around Independence Mall )
- Palmerton Area School District (Students punished for wearing t-shirts critical of school dress code)
- Seeds of Peace Collective, et al v. City of Pittsburgh, et al (G-20 protestors harassed by police)
- Code Pink vs US Secret Service (Protest groups sue federal and city authorities for right to hold peaceful G20 demonstrations.)
- Matheny v. Allegheny County, et al. (Pittsburgh man arrested for recording police in public)
- Papiernik v. East Norriton Township (Township has unconstitutional sign ordinance and is selectively enforcing it to help incumbents)
- Kalman v. Cortes (Business name denied incorporation by state because it's 'blasphemous')
- Kraft v. Harhut, et al (Voters not allowed to wear T-shirts endorsing candidates at polling places)
- Babines v. Adams Township (Pole-dancing instructor forbidden from opening studio)
- Commonwealth v. Pappert (Man charged with harassment for complaining to goverment officials about air pollution issues in his neighborhood)
- Commonwealth v. Herb (Woman cited with disorderly conduct for swearing in her own home)
- Bessey v. City of Philadelphia (Protestor arrested outside of circus)
- Hackbart v. City of Pittsburgh (Man cited for flipping off police officer)
- League of Young Voters, et al. v. Port Authority of Allegheny County, et al. (Port Authority refuses to run bus ads)
- J.S. v. Blue Mountain School District (Student suspended for creating MySpace paraody profile of principal)
- Harbeson et al v. Central Dauphin School District (Student disciplined for wearing T-shirt criticizing school administration)
- Layshock v. Hermitage School District (Student punished for MySpace parody of principal)
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