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Jury to Decide on Denver Police Sergeant’s Case Involving Free Speech Arrest at Union Station

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DENVER — A federal court in Denver has ruled that a jury will deliberate whether a police sergeant violated the constitutional rights of a man who made controversial statements using a megaphone outside Denver Union Station in 2019. The case centers around the arrest of Abade Irizarry and his associate, Kyle Shockley, who were accused of trespassing and disturbing the peace during a demonstration concerning the treatment of the homeless and police actions. On June 2, 2019, on Wynkoop Plaza at Denver Union Station, Irizarry and Shockley broadcast their views loudly, making several profane and … Read more

University of Colorado Boulder Sued for Suppression of Student’s Free Speech in Music Program

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Boulder, CO – A conflict over free speech rights has erupted at the University of Colorado Boulder following allegations of censorship within one of its choral programs. A lawsuit filed recently asserts that a junior student, involved in the university’s choral activities, had been unfairly censored over costume disagreements that appeared to stem from religious beliefs. According to the lawsuit, the incident that sparked the controversy occurred during a scheduled performance where the choral ensemble was expected to wear robes typically associated with the concert’s religiously themed music. The student, whose identity has been withheld, … Read more

LSU Law Professor Suspended After First Amendment Lecture, Claims Free Speech Concerns

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BATON ROUGE, La. — A law professor at Louisiana State University has been placed on paid administrative leave following a lecture on the First Amendment and its implications on interactions between the public and law enforcement. Ken Levy, the professor in question, had delivered this lecture right before the administrative action was taken. Jill Craft, Levy’s attorney, stated that the university has not provided specific reasons for the decision to place her client on leave. She expressed her client’s intention to assert his rights, highlighting the irony in the suppression of free speech in an … Read more

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch Calls for Legal Reforms to Prevent Repeat Offenders from Walking Free

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NEW YORK — NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch lashed out against current legislation that keeps dangerous criminals on the streets, voicing her frustrations during a press conference in Harlem with Mayor Eric Adams on January 22. The commissioner expressed concerns over the judiciary’s actions—or lack thereof—particularly when it comes to bail decisions, amidst what she perceives as a worrying drop in the rates of prosecution. Tisch’s remarks came in response to a query about which laws she would prioritize for revision. She specifically criticized the discovery law, arguing that it often leads to suspects walking free … Read more