ANAHEIM and RIVERSIDE, California – Republican Representatives Matt Gaetz from Florida and Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia have been granted permission to proceed with their lawsuit against two cities in California. Judge Hernan Vera, a Biden appointee, ruled that there is sufficient evidence to suggest that the GOP lawmakers have a valid claim against Anaheim and Riverside officials for canceling their planned rallies in 2021. The judge did, however, criticize Gaetz and Greene for their allegations of collusion between liberal nonprofits and the cities to violate their free speech rights.
The lawsuit, which was filed last year, accuses the cities of coercing private venues into canceling the rallies after facing pressure from activist groups and local government officials. Gaetz and Greene, along with their funding committees, are seeking an injunction that would prohibit cities from influencing private venues to refuse future political rallies. They also requested damages for emotional distress.
While the judge dismissed the plaintiffs’ conspiracy claims against nine civil rights groups, including the NAACP and the League of Women Voters, he acknowledged that these claims lacked specifics. Judge Vera stated that without evidence of an unlawful conspiracy, the only remaining allegation against the nonprofit defendants is the exercise of their own First Amendment rights to advocate for the event’s cancellation.
Gaetz hailed the ruling as an opportunity to hold California’s liberal city governments accountable for attempting to infringe upon their First Amendment rights. However, the judge criticized the GOP lawmakers for filing an “unprecedented and stunningly deficient pleading” and accused them of trying to settle political scores against civic organizations. He emphasized that bringing civil rights groups into federal court for expressing their opposition to an event should raise concerns across the political spectrum.
In the ruling, Judge Vera also emphasized that Gaetz and Greene cannot claim that their First Amendment rights were violated by private citizens or activist groups calling for the cancellation of their events. The judge’s decision allows the plaintiffs to proceed with their lawsuit against the California cities while dismissing the claims against the nonprofit defendants.
The outcome of this lawsuit is expected to have significant implications for the boundaries of free speech and political activism. Both Gaetz and Greene are prominent supporters of former President Donald Trump and have been vocal advocates for conservative causes. Their case against Anaheim and Riverside will test the limits of political expression and the involvement of private venues in hosting such events.
This ruling highlights the ongoing tension between conservative politicians and liberal-leaning cities, reflecting the polarized political climate within the United States. The legal battle between Gaetz, Greene, and the California cities will continue to unfold, with potential ramifications for future political rallies and the protection of free speech rights.