Heritage Foundation: Oversight Project Urges Court to Force Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg to Produce Documents on Political Collusion in Trump Prosecution
WASHINGTON, April 25 -- The Heritage Foundation issued the following news release on April 24, 2024:
The Heritage Foundation's Oversight Project sent a letter to a Manhattan judge urging him to quickly rule on the Manhattan District Attorney's office's refusal to follow the law and produce records the Oversight Project requested over a year ago. Last week's letter is part of a lawsuit the Oversight Project filed in June 2023 to compel the production of records from two April 2023 open records requests to Bragg's office.
The first request sought communications with Biden administration officials
... Show Full ArticleWASHINGTON, April 25 -- The Heritage Foundation issued the following news release on April 24, 2024:
The Heritage Foundation's Oversight Project sent a letter to a Manhattan judge urging him to quickly rule on the Manhattan District Attorney's office's refusal to follow the law and produce records the Oversight Project requested over a year ago. Last week's letter is part of a lawsuit the Oversight Project filed in June 2023 to compel the production of records from two April 2023 open records requests to Bragg's office.
The first request sought communications with Biden administration officialsand prominent national Democrats regarding the ongoing prosecution of President Trump. The second request sought communications with prominent left-leaning law firms who provided free or deeply discounted legal services to Bragg's office to prosecute the former president.
Kyle Brosnan, chief counsel for the Oversight Project at The Heritage Foundation, commented on the letter:
"Enough is enough. President Trump is currently sitting trial in a Manhattan courtroom because of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's politicized lawfare. At the same time Bragg is trying to invent a crime by digging into President Trump's business records, he's defying a lawful request for his own government records. For over a year, Bragg has refused to meaningfully comply with records requests that get to the bottom of this key question: is Bragg coordinating with President Trump's political opponents on his sham prosecution? If it is taking Bragg over a year to look through and fork over responsive records, the answer is probably yes. The front-runner candidate for President of the United States has been taken off the campaign trail for weeks and is being forced to sit in a courtroom. This is election interference at its finest. The American people deserve to understand the scope of Bragg's politicized prosecution of President Trump and the Oversight Project intends to see this through."
More than a year after the initial records request, Bragg's office has produced fewer than 20 pages of records--detailing the free and low-cost legal services they received from major international law firms to prosecute President Trump. The records the Oversight Project is fighting for get to the core of the ongoing Trump criminal trial and leftwing lawfare against the former president and conservatives.
NFWF and NOAA Announce Release of Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund 2024 Request for Proposals
WASHINGTON, April 24 -- The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation issued the following news release on April 23, 2024:
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program today announced the release of the 2024 Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund.
This year, the program will award up to $6 million in grants to projects that reduce marine debris from coastal habitats and nearshore waters of coastal counties in Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico and
... Show Full ArticleWASHINGTON, April 24 -- The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation issued the following news release on April 23, 2024:
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program today announced the release of the 2024 Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund.
This year, the program will award up to $6 million in grants to projects that reduce marine debris from coastal habitats and nearshore waters of coastal counties in Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico andSouth Carolina impacted by the 2022 hurricanes Fiona, Ian and Nicole and Typhoon Merbok. This program will prioritize projects that provide dual benefits - both benefit for human communities and benefits for fish and wildlife. The program will use assessment and prioritization efforts conducted by local, state and federal response agencies or their designees to prioritize projects that will address marine debris in areas of greatest impact and most critical to prevent communities and ecosystems from further harm.
Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund grant proposals are due Friday, July 26, 2024, and the full RFP can be found here. An applicant webinar will be held Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 3:00 pm ET.
Severe storms can cause significant debris in the way of capsized vessels, moved and lost fishing gear, large terrestrial debris such as structures washed out to sea and torn up coastal infrastructure like docks or piers. This debris can cause both immediate and prolonged harm to already impacted coastal communities in navigation safety, coastal and marine economic and cultural services, and potentially human safety and health. Marine debris can also have immediate and prolonged impact on wildlife through entanglement and ingestion and on habitats from scouring and smothering.
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) works with the public and private sectors to sustain, restore and enhance the nation's fish, wildlife, plants and habitats for current and future generations. Chartered by Congress in 1984, NFWF has grown to become the nation's largest conservation foundation. Since its founding, NFWF has supported more than 6,800 grantee organizations and funded more than 22,100 projects that have generated a total conservation impact of more than $10 billion. NFWF is an equal opportunity provider. Learn more at nfwf.org.
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About NOAA
Climate, weather, and water affect all life on our ocean planet. NOAA's mission is to understand and predict our changing environment, from the deep sea to outer space, and to manage and conserve America's coastal and marine resources. See how NOAA science, services, and stewardship benefit your community: Visit noaa.gov for our latest news and features, and join us on social media.
Media Statement: The Jed Foundation (JED) Commends the Biden-Harris Administration's Updated National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and First-Ever Federal Action Plan
NEW YORK, April 24 -- The Jed Foundation issued the following news release on April 23, 2024:
The Jed Foundation (JED) stands in full support of the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (National Strategy) and Federal Action Plan (Action Plan), unveiled today at The White House. The landmark documents provide a national roadmap for suicide prevention efforts in communities across the country and at every level of government. JED applauds the vital enhancements to the National Strategy and stresses the importance of a united, comprehensive approach to preventing suicide.
"Our nation is
... Show Full ArticleNEW YORK, April 24 -- The Jed Foundation issued the following news release on April 23, 2024:
The Jed Foundation (JED) stands in full support of the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (National Strategy) and Federal Action Plan (Action Plan), unveiled today at The White House. The landmark documents provide a national roadmap for suicide prevention efforts in communities across the country and at every level of government. JED applauds the vital enhancements to the National Strategy and stresses the importance of a united, comprehensive approach to preventing suicide.
"Our nation isat a critical juncture for suicide prevention and mental health care. Suicide rates for young people have been rising for over a decade due to factors that include isolation, increasing access to firearms, difficulty accessing quality services, and the compounding impacts of the social determinants of health like poverty and unmet basic needs," said John MacPhee, CEO of The Jed Foundation. "JED will continue our mission of creating a healthier tomorrow for today's youth by implementing top-line strategies--like those outlined in the National Strategy--in our work to create communities of care that will strengthen systems and protect youth mental health."
The National Strategy highlights the need for an equitable, collaborative, and comprehensive effort, one that brings together individuals, communities, organizations, and policymakers to address this critical issue. It pioneers a "whole of government" approach, unifying efforts across over 20 federal agencies and offices, underpinned by the collaborative expertise of the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (of which JED is a proud member), and leading health authorities. This marks the first time such an extensive, interdepartmental action plan has been set in motion to address suicide prevention at a national scale. By citing community as a critical context for upstream suicide prevention efforts, the National Strategy acknowledges the need to meet people where they live, learn, work, and play.
At JED, we are particularly encouraged by commitments to:
* Integrate suicide prevention into the fabric of our educational institutions. With clear steps outlined for supporting schools, the Action Plan recognizes the critical role of our educational settings in fostering emotional well-being and resilience among young people.
* Enhance protective factors, such as fostering strong personal connections and building life skills. This effort also strongly aligns with our own evidence-based programs and resources grounded in JED's Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention for Colleges and Universities and for High Schools.
* Research and support best practices for suicide prevention while increasing access to data on equitable and scalable prevention measures.
* Take clear action steps to reduce access to lethal means and improve education on lethal means safety across age groups.
* Create postvention services for individuals and communities following a death by suicide, including support for the bereaved, which is critical to helping survivors cope with loss.
"It's been twelve years since the last National Strategy for Suicide Prevention was released, and in that time, the state of youth mental health in America has changed significantly. JED is proud to have contributed to actionable systemic and systematic change that will be felt on the federal, state, and local level," said Dr. Zainab Okolo, Senior Vice President of Policy, Advocacy & Government Relations at The Jed Foundation. "As JED's academic programming works with over 1,200 schools, districts, and campuses, including 77 minority-serving institutions, we're actively establishing a safety net for more than 6.5 million children in pre-K, K-12, college, and beyond by improving mental health and lowering the risk of suicide. Equitable and quality access to mental health care should be a right for every young person, and through JED's policy and advocacy efforts, we are working to make this a reality."
Learn more about the latest trends affecting youth suicide and what a path to prevention looks like by reading JED's report, Youth Suicide: Current Trends and the Path to Prevention.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts--or if you are worried someone in your life may be--find hope and helpful resources in JED's Mental Health Resource Center. If you need help right now, text or call 988 or use the chat function at 988lifeline.org.
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About The Jed Foundation (JED)
JED is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation's teens and young adults. We're partnering with high schools and colleges to strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems. We're equipping teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other. We're encouraging community awareness, understanding, and action for young adult mental health.
Issues Commentary: Georgia Public Policy Foundation Applauds Gov. Kemp for Signing Georgia Promise Scholarship Act
ATLANTA, Georgia, April 24 -- The Georgia Public Policy Foundation issued the following commentary on April 23, 2024:
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Georgia Public Policy Foundation Applauds Gov. Kemp for Signing Georgia Promise Scholarship Act
By Athan Clark, Communications Manager
Governor Brian Kemp signed the Georgia Promise Scholarship Act into law today, marking a significant milestone in educational reform for the state of Georgia.
This new legislation will provide state-funded scholarships to families, allowing them the flexibility to choose non-public educational options that best meet their children's unique
... Show Full ArticleATLANTA, Georgia, April 24 -- The Georgia Public Policy Foundation issued the following commentary on April 23, 2024:
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Georgia Public Policy Foundation Applauds Gov. Kemp for Signing Georgia Promise Scholarship Act
By Athan Clark, Communications Manager
Governor Brian Kemp signed the Georgia Promise Scholarship Act into law today, marking a significant milestone in educational reform for the state of Georgia.
This new legislation will provide state-funded scholarships to families, allowing them the flexibility to choose non-public educational options that best meet their children's uniquelearning needs. This is a legislative win for the Georgia Public Policy Foundation, which has played an active role in advocating for more extensive school choice legislation.
Kyle Wingfield, President and CEO of the Georgia Public Policy Foundation, expressed his support for the bill: "We commend Governor Kemp for signing the Promise Scholarship Act into law and thank Senator Greg Dolezal, Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones and their colleagues for their dedication. This legislation will empower thousands of Georgia families with educational choices, ensuring that educational expenditure can be used toward private schooling and related expenses for students in need. It's an important step forward for educational freedom in our state and improving educational outcomes."
The signing of the Georgia Promise Scholarship Act by Governor Kemp is a forward-thinking move that will reshape the educational opportunities available to families. It is a clear commitment to expanding educational freedom and empowering parents to make optimal choices for their children's education.
As the landscape of education continues to evolve, this act provides new, flexible options for Georgia families, ensuring more students can access an education that truly meets their needs.
Hispanic Access Foundation Joins As Inaugural Member of National Initiative to Preserve and Reconnect 100,000 Miles of Rivers and Streams
WASHINGTON, April 24 -- The Hispanic Access Foundation issued the following news release:
Hispanic Access Foundation is proud to join the Biden-Harris Administration as an inaugural member of "The America the Beautiful Freshwater Challenge", a partnership to conserve and restore America's rivers, lakes, streams, and wetlands and set a new national goal of protecting, restoring, and reconnecting 8 million acres of wetlands and 100,000 miles of rivers and streams.
Our nation's lakes, rivers, streams, estuaries, and wetlands are fundamental to the health, prosperity, and resilience of our communities
... Show Full ArticleWASHINGTON, April 24 -- The Hispanic Access Foundation issued the following news release:
Hispanic Access Foundation is proud to join the Biden-Harris Administration as an inaugural member of "The America the Beautiful Freshwater Challenge", a partnership to conserve and restore America's rivers, lakes, streams, and wetlands and set a new national goal of protecting, restoring, and reconnecting 8 million acres of wetlands and 100,000 miles of rivers and streams.
Our nation's lakes, rivers, streams, estuaries, and wetlands are fundamental to the health, prosperity, and resilience of our communitiesand are held sacred by many tribal nations. They are the sources of clean drinking water that flows into the taps of our homes and economic drivers supporting jobs and outdoor recreation across the nation. By absorbing and storing carbon, our nation's waterways and wetlands--and the forests, grasslands, and farmlands they nourish--play a critical role in the fight against climate change. But they are at risk; through 2019, the U.S. wetland loss rate increased by 50 percent over the previous decade. And a recent decision by the Supreme Court rolled back protections for some of our country's most important and most imperiled streams, wetlands, and freshwater resources from pollution and destruction.
The Latino community accounts for 47.2 percent of agricultural field workers in the U.S. and rely on access to pristine water from rivers and lakes for irrigation and successful crop cultivation. Their deep connection to clean water encompasses cultural, economic, and public health dimensions, highlighting the critical need to safeguard water sources to uphold cultural traditions, support livelihoods, and enhance the welfare of Latino populations. The preservation of waterways holds significant importance for the Latino community. 83 percent of Latino voters in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming recognize the river as critical to their state's economy, and 84 percent believe it requires urgent action.
"We are honored to collaborate with the Biden-Harris Administration in embarking on a new national endeavor to preserve and revive freshwater reserves," said Maite Arce, president and CEO of Hispanic Access Foundation. "Latino history, traditions, and identity are engrained in our rivers, lakes, streams, and wetlands. By preserving them, we not only protect valuable wildlife and help mitigate climate change; we also help preserve Latino culture."
The America the Beautiful Freshwater Challenge is a new initiative that supports states and other governments and entities, including tribes, interstate organizations, cities, and local communities, who are advancing their policies and strategies for conserving and restoring America's freshwater systems. Over 100 inaugural members signed on to support freshwater restoration in their communities, including ten states, seven tribes, and 24 local governments. Learn more about "The America the Beautiful Freshwater Challenge" here (https://www.whitehouse.gov/ceq/97632-2/).
Helmsley Charitable Trust Grants $11.6M to Expand Advanced Heart and Lung Care in Nevada
LAS VEGAS, Nevada, April 24 -- The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust issued the following news release on April 23, 2024:
The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust is granting $11.6 million to three Nevada health systems to expand access to life-saving care for patients suffering from acute cardiac and pulmonary failure.
The grant projects will expand the availability of ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) to provide heart and lung support for patients with severe failure of the heart, lungs, or both. The state-of-the-art procedure can save lives in cases that otherwise
... Show Full ArticleLAS VEGAS, Nevada, April 24 -- The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust issued the following news release on April 23, 2024:
The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust is granting $11.6 million to three Nevada health systems to expand access to life-saving care for patients suffering from acute cardiac and pulmonary failure.
The grant projects will expand the availability of ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) to provide heart and lung support for patients with severe failure of the heart, lungs, or both. The state-of-the-art procedure can save lives in cases that otherwisewould offer little chance of survival and can act as a bridge to those needing heart or lung transplants.
"ECMO can be a game changer for patients with severe heart and lung conditions," said Walter Panzirer, a Trustee with the Helmsley Charitable Trust. "Without ECMO, hospitals have to transfer patients to other facilities, and those who are too unstable for transport could die before receiving needed care."
Helmsley is granting more than $5.1 million to St. Rose Dominican Health Foundation to launch an ECMO program at Dignity Health-St. Rose Siena Hospital in Henderson. The facility will add four dedicated ICU rooms for patients suffering from acute respiratory distress, recovering from cardiac arrest, or awaiting a lung or heart transplant. An adjacent sleep room will allow an on-site provider to immediately respond to critical events.
"This donation from the Helmsley Charitable Trust is quite literally lifesaving for our community," said Dr. Rod Buzzas, Chief Medical Officer for Dignity Health-St. Rose Siena Hospital. "In the world of modern medicine it is not enough to have just the best surgeons, doctors, and nurses. You must have the most advanced medical technology and equipment as well. As a not-for-profit hospital, we depend on the generosity of others, and on groups like the Helmsley Charitable Trust, to maintain our position on the cutting edge of life-saving medical technology. We are grateful beyond words."
Helmsley's grant of more than $3.5 million to Renown Health Foundation will bring this life-saving technology to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, establishing northern Nevada's first ECMO program. The center will give severe respiratory distress and cardiogenic shock patients a greater chance of survival and lessen the need for risky and lengthy transfers out of the community.
"At Renown Health, we are always proud to incorporate today's leading-edge medical innovations into our toolbelt of care. We are incredibly grateful for the Helmsley Charitable Trust $3.5-million gift that will establish an ECMO program at Renown," said Brian Erling, MD, MBA, President & CEO for Renown Health. "ECMO is a form of life-support that aids heart and lung function while patients recover from serious illness. As a health system, our top priority is improving the lives of the people who entrust us with their care. The ECMO program will ensure advanced care for our region's sickest patients."
Helmsley's grant of $1.2 million to University Medical Center of Southern Nevada (UMC) in 2023 has helped accelerate and bolster the development of its extracorporeal life support (ECLS) services for adult and pediatric patients. These key services are provided through a multidisciplinary approach encompassing critical care medicine, surgery, cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, and pediatric critical care. UMC continues to use the grant money to help physicians, nurses and staff travel to active ECLS centers for experience, purchase training equipment, fund outside consultation services, secure equipment for program expansion and obtain practitioner certification for core providers. With support from this grant, UMC has introduced four additional ECMO machines thus far. UMC plans to further expand the program to offer a total of 11 ECMO machines in the near future.
"This generous grant from the Helmsley Charitable Trust will continue to have a life-changing impact on many of our community's most critically ill and injured patients," said Dr. Allison McNickle, UMC's ECMO Medical Director and Vice Chief of Trauma. "We look forward to expanding UMC's ECMO program and further elevating the level of care available to patients of all ages in Southern Nevada."
In addition to the $5.1 million grant to St. Rose Dominican Health Foundation for a new ECMO program, Helmsley is also granting $1.7 million to the health system to help renovate one of Dignity Health-St. Rose Siena Hospital's four cardiac catheterization laboratories, upgrading vascular disease imaging services for patients with coronary artery and structural heart diseases.
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About the Helmsley Charitable Trust
The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust aspires to improve lives by supporting exceptional efforts in the U.S. and around the world in health and select place-based initiatives. Since beginning active grantmaking in 2008, Helmsley has committed about $4.5 billion for a wide range of charitable purposes. Helmsley's Rural Healthcare Program funds innovative projects that use information technologies to connect rural patients to emergency medical care, bring the latest medical therapies to patients in remote areas, and provide state-of-the-art training for rural hospitals and EMS personnel. To date, this program has awarded more than $700 million to organizations and initiatives in the states of Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. For more information, visit http://www.helmsleytrust.org.
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About Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican
Nevada's only not-for-profit, faith-based health system, Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican Hospitals remain guided by the vision and values of the Adrian Dominican Sisters who founded Rose de Lima Hospital in Henderson in 1947. Dignity Health now operates three acute care hospitals in southern Nevada - the Siena, San Martin, and Rose de Lima Campuses. St. Rose Dominican Hospitals is a member of the Dignity Health network of nearly 10,000 physicians, 60,000 employees, 41 acute care hospitals, and more than 400 care centers, urgent and occupational care, imaging centers, and primary care clinics. Dignity Health is a part of CommonSpirit Health, a nonprofit health system committed to advancing health for all people and dedicated to serving the common good. More than 75 years after the arrival of the original seven Sisters in Henderson, the 4,000 employees of the St. Rose Dominican health system continue the Sisters' mission of serving people in need, especially the most vulnerable. For more information, visit http://www.strosehospitals.org.
Dignity Health hospitals in Nevada are supported by the St. Rose Dominican Health Foundation, whose mission is to improve community health and wellness through fundraising and relationship building with caring supporters who donate or pledge to fund our work. To learn more, visit supportstrose.org or email strosefoundation@dignityhealth.org.
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About Renown Health
Renown Health is Nevada's largest, not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe, and northeast California. With a diverse workforce of more than 7,000 employees, Renown has fostered a longstanding culture of excellence, determination, and innovation. The organization comprises a trauma center, two acute care hospitals, a children's hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, a medical group and urgent care network, and the locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. Renown is currently enrolling participants in a community-based genetic population health study, the Healthy Nevada Project(R). For more information, visit https://renown.org.
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About University Medical Center of Southern Nevada
UMC offers the highest level of care in Nevada, providing a wide range of exclusive and specialized health care services to community members and visitors. UMC is home to Nevada's only Level I Trauma Center, only Verified Burn Care Center and only Center for Transplantation. Offering highly skilled physicians, nurses and staff members supported by the latest, cutting-edge technology, UMC continues to build upon its reputation for providing Nevada's highest level of care. In support of its mission to serve as the premier academic health center, UMC is the anchor partner for the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV. For more information, please visit http://www.umcsn.com.
Foundation for Individual Rights & Expression: Journalist Jailed for Asking Police a Question Seeks Supreme Court Review
LAREDO, Texas, April 24 -- The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression issued the following news release:
A journalist was thrown in a Texas jail for doing her job. Years later and still seeking justice, she is taking her case to the Supreme Court with the help of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.
"If they can throw me in jail for asking a question, none of our free speech rights are safe," said Priscilla Villarreal. "Our First Amendment rights don't depend on our popularity with local politicians. My case is not just about me, but also the rights of every American."
Priscilla,
... Show Full ArticleLAREDO, Texas, April 24 -- The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression issued the following news release:
A journalist was thrown in a Texas jail for doing her job. Years later and still seeking justice, she is taking her case to the Supreme Court with the help of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.
"If they can throw me in jail for asking a question, none of our free speech rights are safe," said Priscilla Villarreal. "Our First Amendment rights don't depend on our popularity with local politicians. My case is not just about me, but also the rights of every American."
Priscilla,who The New York Times described as "arguably the most influential journalist in Laredo," covers local crime, traffic, and other news for her 200,000 Facebook followers. Like all good journalists, she's not shy about criticizing government officials. That's why she's been repeatedly targeted by them. The district attorney even took her behind closed doors to chastise her for her reporting.
And in 2017, government officials went one alarming step further to bully her into silence -- hunting for some law, any law, to arrest Priscilla. They found one.
Police dusted off a decades-old statute local officials had never used before to criminalize Priscilla's journalism earlier that year about a high-profile suicide and a fatal car accident. For both stories, Priscilla received tips from private citizens and asked a Laredo police officer to verify those facts -- something journalists do every day, and something the First Amendment squarely protects.
But Laredo law enforcement issued two warrants for her arrest under the statute, making it a felony to ask for non-public information from a government official if the person asking could benefit from that information. Laredo law enforcement claimed Priscilla benefitted from publishing the news to "gain popularity on Facebook."
So Priscilla sued for violation of her First and Fourth Amendment rights, but the district court dismissed her claims. The court said that the officials were entitled to qualified immunity, which protects public officials from facing civil rights lawsuits unless the officials violated a "clearly established" constitutional right.
After Priscilla appealed, a panel on the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in her favor, reversing the dismissal and concluding that if Villarreal's arrest "is not an obvious violation of the Constitution, it's hard to imagine what would be."
But the entire Fifth Circuit decided to reconsider the ruling, and in a 9-7 decision, reversed course. In one of the four dissenting opinions, Judge James Ho lamented that the decision treated "the First Amendment as a second-class right." And as Judge Graves explained in dissent, "the right to gather and report news could not be more firmly embedded in the Constitution."
That's why FIRE is asking the Supreme Court to hear Priscilla's case and make clear that Americans can hold officials accountable when they violate First Amendment rights.
"This is a case that should alarm every American," said FIRE Senior Attorney JT Morris. "Every one of us has a constitutional right to question the government, but when government officials answer with arrest warrants, they must be held accountable."
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The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to defending and sustaining the individual rights of all Americans to free speech and free thought -- the most essential qualities of liberty. FIRE educates Americans about the importance of these inalienable rights, promotes a culture of respect for these rights, and provides the means to preserve them.
