Page 27 - First Amendment Coalition News Today

It is now illegal to so much as even watch a sideshow in Alameda County, and you could get a $1,000 fine or six months in jail for being within 200 feet. But what if you just happened to be there, and weren’t watching the sideshow?

An ordinance that could make it illegal to be a spectator at a sideshow in Alameda County passed its first reading by the Board of Supervisors.

A California budget bill would end obligations to disclose police misconduct records.

The lawsuit seeks to uncover the report of the internal investigation and any disciplinary action taken against the officers involved.

Responsive to the letter from Judge Pauline Newman's counsel sent June 15th (see "Judge Newman Matter Continues"), the Special Committee directing the Federal Circuit's inquiry...

The officials formed a nonprofit, funded with dues from participating counties, but contend their work is not subject to government transparency laws

It's part of a larger trend across the nation of conservative groups using the First Amendment to skirt local and state laws protections for LGBTQ+ students.

The U.S. government still faces economic peril as the debt ceiling debate remains unresolved. In other news, Carlsbad High School students walked out of class Tuesday to protest what they say is a lack of support for the LGBTQ community. Plus, some school districts are facing First Amendment challenges to their inclusion and protection policies for LGBTQ-plus students at school.

A reporter at the Bakersfield Californian has been held in contempt of court for refusing to turn over her unpublished notes from a jailhouse interview. The newspaper has appealed the ruling.

An increasing number of cities are adding drone flights to their law enforcement tool kit. Public access to appropriately redacted video footage from those flights can provide oversight of police surveillance and help ensure cities are living up to their privacy promises.