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#1stamendment

1 post1 participant0 posts today
civicshout.comFight Back Against Trump’s Assault on Press FreedomDonald Trump is escalating his war on the free press, using his power to punish and intimidate journalists. His latest target is the Associated Press (AP), which refused to use his preferred term "Gulf of America" instead of the internationally recognized "Gulf of Mexico." In retaliation, the White House banned AP reporters from Air Force One, Oval Office events, and key press opportunities. Axios has already caved, proving that some outlets prioritize access over integrity. Trump is also seizing control of the White House press pool, sidelining critical voices and ensuring only favorable coverage. This responsibility traditionally belonged to the independent White House Correspondents' Association. By taking over, Trump's administration can dictate which reporters cover the president, eroding press freedom. The administration is also exerting influence over Voice of America (VOA), a government-funded international broadcaster. By installing loyalists, Trump is turning VOA into a propaganda tool, undermining its credibility. Trump has spent years attacking the press, calling journalists "the enemy of the people," revoking credentials, and encouraging violence against reporters. Now, he’s trying to create a compliant media that won’t challenge his falsehoods. If news organizations back down, it will only embolden him further. Media outlets must reject these manipulations, stand with AP, and refuse to use Trump’s fabricated terminology. They should publicly condemn his retaliation, protect independent journalism, and refuse to trade access for compliance. Sign this petition to demand media outlets stand up to Trump’s attacks and defend press freedom. Journalism exists to hold power accountable, not to serve an authoritarian president.

Hi this is NOT OK

House Joint Resolution (HJR) 3020 – introduced by Del. Henry Dillon, R-Wayne – calls for the Christian Bible to be formally recognized as the “inerrant foundational document for our society and government.” 
The resolution describes the Bible as being “divinely inspired,” and calls for the inclusion of both the Old and New Testaments. The resolution further refers to the Bible as being “an accurate historical record of human and natural history, and the utmost authority for human moral behavior.” 
Should the amendment be codified into the state’s constitution, the Bible would be given “a place of prominence and reverence in the public buildings, laws, policies, and schools of the state of West Virginia.”

therealwv.com/2025/02/28/propo

therealwv.comProposed amendment would recognize Christian Bible as the ‘utmost authority’ in West VirginiaBy Matthew Young, RealWV CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Among the 28 pieces of legislation presented to the House of Delegates on Thursday, was a proposed amendment to

“ 'Maga is profoundly corrupt, unmistakably anti-democracy and most importantly, Maga is explicitly a Nazi movement...
You may have replaced a swastika with a red hat, but that’s what it is.'
He was handcuffed by law enforcement officials and carried out of the chamber. The 43-year-old was charged with disrupting an assembly and was released after four hours in custody. He later said on social media that the police were 'polite and professional.' ”
theguardian.com/sport/2025/feb
#NFL #1stAmendment

The Guardian · Former NFL player Chris Kluwe arrested after attacking ‘corrupt’ Maga movementBy Guardian sport

“The Trump administration understands that it does not have absolute power and that it must rely on creating a false illusion of power to create a chilling effect to get everyday people to respond to fear, comply in advance, and censor their own free speech. Ultimately, in clear scenarios such as these, the best way to handle paper tigers is to call their bluff,”
- Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinio
#1stAmendment #CivilRights #RuleofLaw #AOC

MSNBC · Tom Homan’s obsession with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is a political miscalculationBy Julio Ricardo Varela

When I saw this on calendar I was nervous until I read it. It’s sponsored by the only Libertarian Rep I respect & Rep Ellen Read, a total badass.

I might go to this one in person. Except I have to be there the day before for the ranked choice voting committee meeting so I can testify in support, and that’s a lot.
#NH #HB620 #1stAmendment #atheist

Replied in thread

@DrALJONES This is how people will be disappeared. I embarrassed local cops by schooling them on #1stAmendment. Cops have long memories and hold a grudge. Any day, I expect them to show up with fake warrant for arrest for harboring illegal aliens from space in attic of non-existent pizza parlor in Moosecrotch, Montana. I'll be held for years w/o access to lawyer.

Continued thread

Make threats a PRIORITY.
Reuters' showed local cops & DAs DON'T make this a priority. It takes skill, time & money.

Provide $$ & resources to law enforcement & prosecutors.

DOJ's Election Threats Task Force was created to provide resources to prosecute threats.
Use them on this!

They've had success. BUT THEY DON'T PUBLICIZE THEM, so there's no awareness for deterrence to change behavior.

TEACH:
#DeathThreats are NOT #1stAmendment protected speech! They are condemnable criminal acts.
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EDIT: POSSIBLE DISINFORMATION
Image MAY have been manipulated, will inquire further.

Come December, I expect a bump in #Mastodon inscriptions as more people flee #LeonSkum's disaster of a #Fascist "#TownSquare"

The #ElongatedMuskrat, earlier today, Sept 27, 2024:

«In order to be a platform that fully embraces #FreeSpeech, the #block and #mute features will be removed from #X this December as they are a hindrance to the #1stAmendment»

Our American Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution intending to NOT dictate religion.

#TheConstitution is intended to allow everyone to seek God (or not seek Him at all) via their own path. They believed (wisely) that #FreedomOfSpeech and #FreedomOfReligion were entwined in the same basic human right.

You cannot have one freedom without the other, and you cannot give up one freedom without giving up the other.

Having ANY faith forced upon a person is NOT freedom of religion. It is #Theocracy.

U.S. Supreme Court sidesteps ruling on social media and free speech laws in Florida and Texas.

CBS News reports: "The 2021 laws came in response to what their GOP backers saw as discrimination by social media platforms against conservative viewpoints, claims that were amplified after Facebook and Twitter, now known as X, banned former President Donald Trump from their platforms after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol."

flip.it/yut30s