Yet another struggle for the defense of the freedom of speech, spearheaded by our ace lawyers, David Yerushalmi and Robert Muise of the American Freedom Law Center. “Pro-Israel Group Sues Pennsylvania Transportation Authority for Censoring Speech,” American Freedom Law Center, September 18, 2014:
Philadelphia, PA (September 18, 2014) — Today, the American Freedom Law Center (AFLC), a national, nonprofit Judeo-Christian law firm, filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) for refusing to run a “Stop the Islamic Jew-Hatred” advertisement on SEPTA property. The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on behalf of the advertisement’s sponsors, the American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI) and its co-founders, Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer.
In May, AFDI submitted the below advertisement to SEPTA’s advertising agent for display on SEPTA property:
As noted in the lawsuit, AFDI’s message is timely in light of the fact that many Jews (and Christians) are being persecuted in Islamic countries in the Middle East, and many of these countries receive aid from the United States. Moreover, the Israel / Palestinian conflict has drawn intense international media attention as Hamas is using human shields (mostly innocent women and children) to protect its rockets from Israel’s defense forces as the Islamic terrorist organization continues its deadly attack of Jews in Israel.
Although SEPTA accepts as a matter of policy and practice controversial political-issue, public-issue, and religious-issue advertisements, it rejected AFDI’s advertisement, claiming that the ad “tends to disparage or ridicule any person or group of persons on the basis of race, religious belief, age, sex, alienage, national origin, sickness or disability.”
David Yerushalmi, AFLC Co-Founder and Senior Counsel, commented, “Across the country, we have successfully litigated cases where government transit authorities permit the Muslim Brotherhood-Hamas front groups like the Council on American-Islamic Relations to run ads misleading the public about Jihad and Islamic Jew hatred. When our clients run ads exposing this Jew hatred, all of a sudden the transit authorities are worried about the ‘tone’ of the conversation and attempt to shut it down. A word of advice to government bureaucrats doing the Muslim Brotherhood’s bidding: we will sue you and you will lose. Act accordingly.”
Robert Muise, AFLC Co-Founder and Senior Counsel, added, “SEPTA’s prior restraint on our client’s speech is not only wrongheaded, it is clearly unconstitutional. Under the First Amendment, the government is not permitted to impose special prohibitions on speakers who express views on disfavored subjects or on the basis of hostility towards the messenger or the underlying message expressed, which is precisely what SEPTA has done here.”
# # #
The American Freedom Law Center is a Judeo-Christian law firm that fights for faith and freedom. It accomplishes its mission through litigation, public policy initiatives, and related activities. It does not charge for its services. The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization. Visit us at www.americanfreedomlawcenter.org.
Champ says
When our clients run ads exposing this Jew hatred, all of a sudden the transit authorities are worried about the ‘tone’ of the conversation and attempt to shut it down.
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Seems the Truth is too hot for them to handle …
Bravo AFDI!
mariam rove says
Seems the Truth is too hot for them to handle …
Yes. Specially when it comes to Islam and Muslims. M
exsgtbrown says
by refusing to run the ads they are admitting support for the slaughter of Jews and Christians…
Champ says
Exactly!
Budvarakbar says
Two-thirds of US aid goes to Islamic countries is really all that anyone needs to know.
Rush talking this am on repub’s not running on any platform or message and slipping behind in polls. I suppose all the head RINOs will be elected — wonder why?
Aint heard a word yet on Scottish election – except for “large turnout” and the old canard: “Too close to call”. Do not know what time polls close – will be within a couple hours I suppose.
Aint heard anything on net yet re the “dozens arrested in Australia in ISIS beheading” plot! Slowly closing in here — coming soon to a street near you — still spooked though since most Americans can be armed — then again the random street ‘knockouts’ have proven a certain vulnerability.
Cannot wear a US flag shirt in CA on May 5th anymore. Past time to start wearing US flags and flying US flags every day year round! Please note that I said ‘US’ instead of ‘American” flag!
Rush back to football jag! Turned him off – again!
Rob says
‘No’ vote on Scottish referendum is slightly ahead last I heard.
I’m not a Brit of any hue but I’d hate for them to break away from the auld firm.
duh_swami says
The censors should know that they will be sued for censoring, and will ultimately lose. But they make themselves look good to Allah by trying.
Jeffrey A Friedberg says
Rush Limbaugh has become a characiture of his former self. I can’t stand his stock shtick mannerisms anymore, no longer funny or relevant; ie, “Mehico…EL ThalVA Dorrrr…screwel (school)…NIH-HiRawgwaauh; reverend Jack-HUHNNNnnn (never explained); etc., etc.