Archive for the ‘First Amendment’ Category

As LGBT rights expand, remember the First Amendment

By Charles C. Haynes

Conflicts in Texas and Idaho in recent weeks have re-invigorated fears in conservative religious circles that expanding protections for LGBT rights will threaten their religious freedom.

In Houston, city lawyers obtained subpoenas requiring five pastors to turn over sermons and other communications that mention the city's equal rights ordinance. The pastors sued to nullify the subpoenas as overly broad and irrelevant to the case.

Meanwhile, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, the city attorney opined earlier this year that two Pentecostal pastors who run a for-profit wedding chapel called Hitching Post must offer services to same-sex couples in compliance with a local ordinance banning discrimination based on sexual orientation in places of public accommodation. A few weeks ago, the owners of Hitching Post also filed suit to prevent city officials from forcing them to perform same-sex wedding ceremonies or face prosecution for violating the city's anti-discrimination law.

In their zeal to uphold non-discrimination, city attorneys in both places were tone-deaf to the protections of the First Amendment.

The Texas controversy centers on an amendment to the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO) passed by the city council last May. Opponents attempted to place a repeal on the ballot in November, but their petition was rejected for not having enough valid signatures. Four taxpayers sued the city, claiming that the petition was wrongly invalidated.

As part of the discovery process, lawyers for the city obtained subpoenas for communications relating to the anti-HERO campaign including subpoenas to five Houston pastors opposed to the ordinance, but not parties to the lawsuit.

Religious leaders and civil libertarians have spoken out against the sweeping scope of the subpoenas, pointing out that the First Amendment protects the teaching of religious leaders from government intrusion.

Houston Mayor Annise Parker tweeted that sermons on political topics were fair game. But a few days later, she acknowledged that the subpoenas were overly broad. Parker announced last week that the city would withdraw the subpoenas entirely.

Coeur d'Alene officials also appear to have changed their position or rejected the position attributed to the city attorney by publicly acknowledging that Hitching Post is exempt from the city's non-discrimination law when performing religious marriages.

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As LGBT rights expand, remember the First Amendment

rickey smiley first amendment – Video


rickey smiley first amendment

By: Pauline Jennifers

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rickey smiley first amendment - Video

Understanding the First Amendment is essential

Over the past ten years, there have been numerous world events that have made headlines across multiple media outlets. There have been new presidents elected, votes concerning gay marriage and Ebola outbreaks, just to name a few. But there is something happening that has seized to catch the attention of the world: murderers are walking free.

According to a report issued by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), 90 percent of murderers who have taken the life of journalists have faced no punishment. As many as 370 journalists have been murdered over the last ten years. Statistically, this means that, 9 out of 10 times, there is no conviction in journalist murders. This lack of justice brings light to governments failing to step up. Nov. 2 was deemed International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists as a way to call for justice.

According to The Guardian, UN and regional intergovernmental bodies are urged to take concrete steps to hold member states accountable to their commitments to combat impunity. And journalists are called on to monitor and report on whether these pledges are implemented.

But these attacks are not just simply attacks on human life, but attacks to what these journalists live to protect: press freedom. The Prairie recently held a Town Hall Meeting regarding First Amendment issues because most are confused as to what the First Amendment truly protects. It protects everyone.

The press is just an outlet to educate and inform citizens. Journalists hold this unacknowledged pact with society to serve them, to inform them, to provide them the truth. But its society as a whole that has these rights. Just because a person walks around with a press pass or owns the title of journalist does not mean they have extra rights, or extra protection under the First Amendment.

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Understanding the First Amendment is essential

Five Freedoms of the First Amendment – Video


Five Freedoms of the First Amendment
Assignment for EDUC-CI 5585.

By: Wendy Budetti

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Five Freedoms of the First Amendment - Video

How the First Amendment applies to Jennifer Lawrence – Video


How the First Amendment applies to Jennifer Lawrence
How the First Amendment applies to Jennifer Lawrence.

By: retet

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How the First Amendment applies to Jennifer Lawrence - Video