ACLU challenges lawmakers who block people on social media
WASHINGTON — The American Civil Liberties Union is challenging Democrats and Republicans for blocking constituents on social media, citing constitutional free speech protections.
The group has assumed the case of a woman who filed suit against Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar last September for blocking her access to his Facebook page.
J’aime Morgaine, founder of the liberal group Indivisible Kingman, claimed in the suit that Gosar’s maneuver violates her First Amendment rights.
“We took up this case because public officials who intentionally open up their social media for public conversation can’t stop people from joining in because of the views they express on the topics at hand,” ACLU attorney Darrell Hill told KPNX in Arizona.
“There are people who roll their eyes at me for what I’m doing,” Morgaine said in an interview with KPNX, “but this gives me more than validation. It gives my lawsuit credibility.”
Gosar’s office thinks the suit has no basis and is “likely intended to harass and annoy,” the GOP congressman’s chief of staff, Thomas Van Flein, said.
“The congressman has very clear rules against hate speech, spamming, ad hominem attacks and profanity,” Van Flein continued. “Users who were blocked were in violation of our policies. We expect our policies to be upheld by the court.”
Gosar is not the only lawmaker who finds himself in the ACLU’s crosshairs, nor is the group singling out Republicans.
The ACLU has sent letters to three Georgia lawmakers, Sen. Johnny Isakson and Reps. John Lewis and Barry Loudermilk, warning them to unblock constituents on social media or provide valid reasons for their decisions to block certain users. Otherwise, they could face a lawsuit similar to the one against Gosar.
“Our democracy thrives when people can freely criticize elected officials, including yourself,” the letter states, The Telegraph in Macon, Georgia, reported.
The ACLU of Georgia had previously sent a similar letter to Rep. Drew Ferguson, who complied with their requests.