Judge refuses to dismiss Rapert from suit over blocking commenters on Facebook and Twitter UPDATE Federal Judge Kristine Baker today refused to dismiss Sen. Jason Rapert (R-Conway) as an individual defendant in the lawsuit over his blocking commenters on his Facebook and Twitter accounts. Her order affirmed that he enjoyed “qualified immunity” as a public official, meaning the plaintiffs could not receive monetary damages if found to have violated the plaintiffs’ free speech rights but said he could still be sued as an individual for continuing to block the plaintiffs. He claimed the statute of limitations barred their suit, but the judge said each day they continue to be barred amounts to a continuing rights violation. She hasn’t yet ruled on the merits.