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Nothing more vividly illustrates the threat this moment poses to democratic freedoms than the violence that has been leveled against peaceful protesters and the assaults and arrests of members of the media covering the demonstrations. On Monday, citing the events of the past week, we at the Knight First Amendment Institutecalledon public officials at all levels to reaffirm their commitment to these freedoms of speech and the press, and to take responsibility for safeguarding and promoting those freedoms. History will judge the president harshly, we wrote, but it will also judge every elected and law enforcement official around the country for the actions they takeor refuse to takeat this critical moment.

But the right tofree expression was being tested even before the police killing of George Floyd. The pandemic exposed not only serious weaknesses in the country'spublic health and social welfare systems, but it also revealed deep problems in thelaws and norms that shapethe public'scapacity to gather and access information, distinguish facts, think creatively, participate in debates and collective decision making, evaluate resultsand navigate novel questions surrounding data collection and sharing, surveillanceand privacy.

Over the last few months, the Knight Institute has challenged rules that restrict public health officials from speaking out, in their private capacities, about the pandemic and the governments response to it. We have called attention to the implications of some contact-tracing proposals for privacy and freedom of association, and we have explored proposals that would give the public greater access to public health data in private hands.

The dangerous assaults on First Amendment freedoms that we are seeing in the street need to end immediately. But once the countrypulls back from the precipice, all of us who are committed to a First Amendment that serves democracy will still have a great deal of work to do.

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Protest, the Press and the First Amendment Imperiled | Columbia News - Columbia University

The FBI respects the rights of individuals to peacefully exercise their First Amendment rights. Our mission of protecting the American people and upholding the Constitution is dual and simultaneous, not contradictory.

Accordingly, we are committed to apprehending and charging violent instigators who are exploiting legitimate, peaceful protests and engaging in violations of federal law. The continued violence, potential threat to life, and destruction of property across the United States interferes with the rights and safety of First Amendment-protected peaceful demonstrators, as well as all other citizens.

To help us identify actors who are actively instigating violence in the wake of Mr. George Floyds death, the FBI is accepting tips and digital media depicting violent encounters surrounding the civil unrest that is happening throughout the country.

If you witness or have witnessed unlawful violent actions, we urge you to submit any information, photos, or videos that could be relevant to the case at fbi.gov/violence.

You may also call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) to verbally report tips and/or information related to this investigation.

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Seeking information on individuals inciting violence during First Amendment-protected peaceful demonstrations | News, Sports, Jobs - Daily Mining...

WASHINGTON D.C. (KSNW) The FBI issued a release Monday stating they respect the rights of individuals to peacefully exercise their First Amendment rights, and that their mission of protecting the American people and upholding the Constitution is dual and simultaneous, not contradictory.Accordingly, the FBI said they are committed to apprehending and charging violent instigators who are exploiting legitimate, peaceful protests and engaging in violations of federal law. The continued violence, potential threat to life, and destruction of property across the United States interferes with the rights and safety of First Amendment-protected peaceful demonstrators, as well as all other citizens.To help the FBI identify actors who are actively instigating violence in the wake of Mr. George Floyds death, they are accepting tips and digital media depicting violent encounters surrounding the civil unrest that is happening throughout the country.

The FBI is urging anyone who witnesses or has witnessed unlawful violent actions to submit any information, photos, or videos that could be relevant to the case atfbi.gov/violence. Information may also be submitted by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) and verbally reporting tips and/or information related to this investigation.

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FBI seeking information on individuals inciting violence during First Amendment-protected peaceful demonstrations - KSN-TV

HARRISBURG, PA The Pennsylvania Commissions on African American, Latino, Asian Pacific American, Women and LGBTQ Affairs, overseen by Gov. Tom Wolf, released a joint statement honoring the memory of George Floyd and other Americans of color who have lost their lives to police violence, and denouncing indoctrinated racism, bigotry and sanctioned violence.

In the wake of the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, our nation has erupted into civil unrest. These protests are a byproduct of centuries of racism, bigotry, and sanctioned violence against black and brown communities. The anger and frustration being expressed nationally by communities of color has been fueled by a federal administration that has shown a complete disregard for the wellbeing of its citizens. We stand with the families of those who have lost their lives or have been affected by police violence and empathize with the feelings of outrage at a system that has yet to change.

To be a strong, successful community, we need every Pennsylvanian that includes Pennsylvanians who are Black. Amid deep grief and moral outrage, we see acts of grace and leadership. We are reminded that the Civil Rights Movement is not history because its great work is still unfinished. Every Pennsylvanian is called upon to take up this crucial work. We stand together in the presence of that righteous calling today.

Jalila Parker, executive director of the Governors Advisory Commission on African American Affairs stated:

We are witnessing a public outcry, a demand for America to acknowledge the institutional and systemic pain the Black community has faced. We affirm the rights of those who march, stand, or kneel. They are demonstrations of our collective grief; a tribute to all the Black lives lost to police brutality, violent crime, and COVID-19. Although social distancing prevents us from wrapping our arms around you, we will not be silent in our pain, grief, love, and support.

Luz Colon, executive director of the Governors Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs (GACLA), stated:

(GACLA) expresses the sincerest condolences and deepest sympathies for the Floyd family and to all Americans directly and indirectly affected by racism against the Black and Brown communities across this great nation. Acts of bigotry, hatred, and racism will not define or destroy us they never have, they never will. We will conquer together and get through this with our collective resilience. We will prove that isolated acts of hatred cannot undo the bonds that have unified our communities for centuries.

Mohan Seshadri, executive director of the Governors Advisory Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, stated:

Just as so many of our Black siblings stood with us over the past six months of COVID-inspired anti-Asian racism, we stand with our Black communities across Pennsylvania and the nation as they lead protests aimed straight at the racism at the heart of our systems. We know that if Asian communities in Pennsylvania are to have all we need to be safe, healthy, and strong, the same must be true of Black and Latinx communities, and we are committed to making that happen. We also hear the voices of Asian, Black, and Latinx small businesses devastated not just by the past few days, but by months of pandemic. Many of those impacted are community elders, new immigrants, and non-English speakers, and are therefore vulnerable to COVID-19, barely scraping by and lacking insurance. Our institutions should turn away from militarization, escalation, and violence, and instead invest in our communities, ensure justice for all, and provide support to assist those affected with recovering from the past few days, as well as reverse decades of exploitation, disinvestment, and neglect.

Danielle Okai, executive director of the Pennsylvania Commission for Women, stated:

What weve seen unfolding on our screens over the past couple of days is the continuance of a rich legacy of protest and uprising that Americans who are Black have had to engage in since their first arrival on American shores. Study after study, as well as our lived experiences, reveal this undeniable fact: We live in a deeply, deeply unequal society. In Pennsylvania, as in many states, people who are Black are much more likely to die at the hands of police than any other group of Pennsylvanians. This is unacceptable. As a Black woman, I fear for my life, the lives of my loved ones, and the lives of all Black Pennsylvanians. Martin Luther King Jr. is beloved today, but in his time many feared his dogged pursuit of equality. Among the swells of protestors across our commonwealth, across our nation, and across the world marches the next generation of leaders the next Fannie Lou Hamer, the next Ida B. Wells, the next June Jordan. Their struggle for peace will ensure a better world for us all.

Rafael lvarez Febo, executive director of the Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs, stated:

As June dawns on us we are reminded that the Stonewall uprising was a riot, that those actions helped launch LGBTQ civil rights movements across the United States, and that they were led by Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, two transgender women of color, alongside other activists. We cannot separate what we celebrate as Pride month from the crucial actions taken by citizens in search of justice in an unjust system. Although there has been a few instances of violence and property damage, the overwhelming majority of people have taken to the streets to peacefully demonstrate and express their First Amendment rights.

The Commissions will continue to work closely with community stakeholders and Gov. Wolf to bring about the changes needed in the commonwealth for justice while preserving public safety.

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Pennsylvania Commissions Jointly Issue Statement Defending the First Amendment Right to Protest and Air Grievances - MyChesCo

Among the rights listed in the First Amendment are freedom of the press, freedom of speech and the freedom to peaceably assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.

In a letter in the Jan. 16 edition of this newspaper, Dan Braswell admonished the paper for allowing a reader to exercise their First Amendment right to free speech. Braswell later endorsed Delegate John McGuire (R-56) for U.S. Congress.

In April, McGuire posted on his Facebook page that we the people must be heard, at the same time censoring comments from constituents disagreeing with his position. If you pay close attention, you can detect a high-pitched incessant whine about mistreatment from some voters.

What we have is an advocate for infringement of First Amendment rights, endorsing someone who practices infringement of these rights, for an elected position where those rights are especially crucial. Why treat constituents that way unless you have no intention of speaking on behalf of everyone? If his views and masculinity are so fragile that they cant stand up to honest criticism and questioning, whats the worth of those views and McGuire? There is no honest discourse when someone scurries away for fear of being offended.

Who does McGuire think of as we the people, while actively muzzling our voices? In that post he states, these folks here all reminded us this is the government of the people, by the people, for the people and our voices will be heard. But he still censors. For all the talk of honoring our Constitutional rights, he seems to have lost track of the First Amendment.

An interesting omission is an explanation for his comment, Blue Virginia posted a quote from me to try and bully me into silence. I wonder what that quote from him was and how something that McGuire himself said could be used to bully him. (Maybe there was some unappreciated sarcasm but it sounds like more whining while blocking comments.)

Both McGuire and Braswell tout the bona fides of Navy SEALs as qualification to represent the electorate, relying on some mystical, non-existent tough guy image. Its difficult to distinguish where McGuire stops complaining and tries to talk policy. If this SEAL is that sensitive and insecure, he doesnt even qualify to continue to act as delegate. There are enough people in Washington destroying the foundations of the Constitution; we should be removing them instead of sending reinforcement.

The experiences of McGuire and Braswell indicate that they prefer to deal with a submissive electorate. We should be asking: Why is it important for McGuire to prohibit expressing differences of opinion as provided in the First Amendment? Should we the people acquiesce to someone who not only doesnt bother to listen, but actively shuts down our voices?

We need to elect officials who will listen to all points of view without offense. We cant afford to be silent about McGuire trying to silence us.

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Delegate abuses First Amendment Rights | Letters To The Editor - The Central Virginian