Most free-speech cases are complicated. 

For instance, a case regarding free speech in Yakima, WA rests on the intersection of protection against discrimination and public safety.

A local furniture business owner sued the city and several public employees, alleging that the city persecuted him with fire code inspections and violations after he opposed a city plan to replace a parking lot with a downtown plaza.

The city argues that the temporal proximity of the business owner’s vocal stance and the fire code citations are coincidental. City officials explained that fire safety and public safety were their only concerns when they pushed the business to rectify an unsafe basement ceiling in the building.

Stay tuned to see what the jury decides.

I represent news media, bloggers, publishers, and citizens interested in government access, and others who operate under the First Amendment—public records; public meetings; newsgathering; avoiding defamation lawsuits; suing Anti-SLAPP violators. My job is to help you get the records and access you need, help you get the story, help you get the story without getting arrested, help get the story published without defaming anyone, and then defend the story after publication. 

If you need help with any of these areas and don’t have an attorney already, contact me: [email protected]. This post is not intended to be legal advice and does not form the basis of a lawyer-client relationship.