Supreme Court Declines to Hear Case on Protest Organizer Liability
The Supreme Court recently declined to hear a case involving civil liability for protest organizers, a decision that has raised concerns about its potential impact on the right to protest.
Louisiana Civil Suit
The case stems from a civil suit filed by a police officer against DeRay Mckesson, a prominent Black Lives Matter activist, over injuries sustained during a 2016 protest. The officer claimed that Mckesson should have known the protest would become violent and held him liable for the injuries.
Fifth Circuit Court Ruling
A federal appeals court ruled that the case could move forward, allowing for potential civil suits against protest organizers in Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi.
Supreme Court Decision
While the Supreme Court did not rule on the merits of the case, its decision not to hear it suggests that it could allow such lawsuits to proceed.
Concerns Over First Amendment Rights
Critics, including the ACLU, argue that this decision could have a chilling effect on the right to protest. They fear that organizers might be deterred from exercising their First Amendment rights due to the threat of potential lawsuits.
Ongoing Case
The lawsuit against Mckesson will now proceed in Louisiana, and the full implications of the Supreme Court’s decision remain to be seen.
