Today's ruling in Americans for Prosperity Foundation v. Bonta is a huge victory for anonymous speech and donor privacy, which have played an essential role in our nation’s history from its inception. /1
The decision reaffirms the Court's landmark decision in NAACP v. Alabama (1958), which held that the “freedom to engage in association for the advancement of beliefs and ideas is an inseparable aspect of . . . freedom of speech." /2
The case is a strong rebuke of states like California, whose forced disclosure laws are now facially invalid. A major victory for those—on both the right and the left—who sought protection from abusive governments that would bully or intimidate them for their views. /3
Today’s decision was supported by a broad coalition of interest groups who filed friend of the court briefs. These groups cover the ideological spectrum. The Court observed, "The deterrent effect feared by these organizations is real and pervasive." /4
As the ACLU, NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, and the Human Rights Campaign noted in a co-authored brief, freedom of association is “fundamental to our democracy, and has long been protected by the First and Fourteenth Amendments" /5
As the Chief Justice noted in his majority opinion, "the [district] court found that the petitioners had suffered from threats and harassment in the past, and that donors were likely to face similar retaliation in the future if their affiliations became publicly known." /6
Finally, it's worth noting that both Xavier Becerra and Kamala Harris helped launch California's assault against the First Amendment.
A good reminder that Joe Biden promised moderation, but has delivered extremism. /7
A good reminder that Joe Biden promised moderation, but has delivered extremism. /7
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
