Legal News
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First Amendment News
Legal and political developments related to First Amendment, analyzed from a civil rights perspective.
Articles tagged "First Amendment"
UH Professor Challenges 'Indoctrination' Memo, Sparking Academic Freedom Debate in Texas
A University of Houston history professor has refused to sign a memo requiring him to certify his course curriculum does not 'indoctrinate' students, sparking a major debate over academic freedom and state legislative influence in Texas higher education. This move highlights the legal tension between state control, as mandated by Senate Bill 37, and professors' First Amendment rights.
Texas State Lecturer's Exit Sparks Free Speech Debate for Public Employees
A Texas State University lecturer is no longer employed after a public outcry over a harsh Facebook message, sparking questions about free speech rights for public employees. The incident highlights the complex legal balance universities must strike between individual constitutional protections and institutional responsibilities.
Texas AG Paxton Sues CAIR Chapters, Reversing Course on 'Terrorist' Label
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued CAIR and its Texas chapters, seeking to formally label them as foreign terrorist organizations and prohibit their operations. This move represents a reversal from Paxton's previous legal position, where his office argued local chapters were separate entities not covered by Governor Abbott's initial declaration. The lawsuit raises significant constitutional questions regarding freedom of association and religious liberty, with CAIR calling it a politically motivated attack.
Texas AG Paxton Sues Muslim Civil Rights Group: A Legal Showdown Over Your Constitutional Rights
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit seeking to declare the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) a terrorist organization, aiming to prevent its operations and fundraising in the state. This legal action raises significant constitutional questions regarding freedom of speech, religion, and association for advocacy groups in Texas, potentially setting a precedent for how the state handles organizations with dissenting political views.
Texas Officials Crack Down on Student Protests, Sparking Free Speech Debate and Legal Threats
Texas state leaders are targeting student walkouts protesting ICE detention, threatening schools, teachers, and students with severe penalties like funding cuts, license revocations, and district takeovers. This situation raises significant legal questions regarding student free speech rights under the First Amendment, the balance of power between state authorities and local education, and due process for individuals involved in such demonstrations.
Texas Schools Face March 1 Deadline on Prayer Periods, Sparking Legal and Constitutional Debate
Texas school boards must decide by March 1 whether to implement group prayer and Bible reading periods under SB 11. The law sparks a heated legal and constitutional debate, with proponents arguing for religious freedom and opponents raising concerns about the separation of church and state, potential coercion, and privileging specific faiths within public education.
Texas Schools Face State Takeover Risk Over Student Protest Support
The Texas Education Agency has warned school districts that "encouraging" student protests could lead to state takeovers, following Governor Abbott's directive. This move sparks concerns over First Amendment rights for students and local control for districts, potentially chilling free speech within schools.
The First Amendment's New Watchdogs: How Texas Tribune Fellows Shape Public Policy and Law
The Texas Tribune's spring fellows are entering journalism to reinforce open government and public policy, directly impacting Texans' constitutional rights. Their work in data visualization, audience engagement, and investigative reporting helps translate complex legal issues and government actions into accessible information, fostering an informed electorate crucial for a healthy democracy.
Texas Education Board Delays Vote on K-12 Reading List Amid Constitutional and Diversity Concerns
The Texas State Board of Education has delayed a vote on a mandatory K-12 reading list, facing significant legal challenges regarding the U.S. Constitution's Establishment Clause due to its strong Christian focus. Public policy concerns also center on the list's lack of racial, ethnic, and gender diversity, potentially alienating a majority-minority student population and impacting culturally relevant instruction.
Texas Troopers Use Force Against Protesters at ICE Facility, Raising Legal Questions
Texas Department of Public Safety troopers used a chemical irritant against protesters demonstrating outside an ICE facility, highlighting tensions around First Amendment rights and police use of force. The protest focused on the controversial detention of a five-year-old boy, whose release a federal judge declined to immediately order due to jurisdictional limits.
Texas Judge Upholds West Texas A&M Drag Show Ban: What It Means for Campus Free Speech
A federal judge upheld West Texas A&M University's ban on a student drag show, ruling the university did not violate the First Amendment. The court found the performance lacked a specific message and deemed the campus venue a "limited public forum," allowing content restrictions. The student group, Spectrum WT, plans to appeal this decision, setting up a continuing legal battle over free speech on Texas campuses.