Providence Councilor Miguel Sanchez Wins Free-Speech Lawsuit: Federal Judge Rules Oct. 28 That the Governor's Firing Violated the First Amendment
PROVIDENCE, Providence County, Rhode Island — City Councilor Miguel Sanchez won a free-speech lawsuit in federal court on October 28, as Chief U.S. District Judge John McConnell ruled that outgoing Gov. Dan McKee violated the First Amendment by firing Sanchez from his state government job.
While serving as a councilor, Sanchez also worked as a junior constituent services staffer in the McKee administration; he was fired after attending pro-Palestinian protests on his own time and posting on his personal social media in support of respecting all human rights, immediate de-escalation and a ceasefire, and an end to the occupation. McConnell wrote that speech by public employees on their own time about matters of public concern has long been understood to sit at the top of the First Amendment value hierarchy, and that choosing to work for the government does not mean surrendering that right.
The ruling did not yet decide damages or injunctive relief, and attorneys for both sides had not commented before publication. Sanchez is considered a leading candidate to be the Providence City Council's next president.
Source: GSM News
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：Wikimedia Commons 共享资源图片（Beyond My Ken 摄，授权：cc by-sa 4.0）。Image via Wikimedia Commons (by Beyond My Ken, license: cc by-sa 4.0).
