FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org
With protests against racism and police brutality occurring throughout the country, the New England First Amendment Coalition released today a guide on political protests.
The guide is intended to educate the public about the First Amendment right to assembly and the protections given to journalists covering demonstrations.
“Citizens must know how they are protected by the First Amendment whether they are joining demonstrations or covering them,” said Justin Silverman, NEFAC’s executive director. “We encourage everyone to make safe, responsible decisions and to use this information to better understand how our Constitution works.”
Silverman spoke with Lia Ernst, a NEFAC board member and senior staff attorney at the ACLU of Vermont, about constitutional rights during political demonstrations.
His interview with Ernst and a summary of their conversation can be found at:
nefac.org/protests
NEFAC was formed in 2006 to advance and protect the Five Freedoms of the First Amendment, including the principle of the public’s right to know. We’re a broad-based organization of people who believe in the power of an informed democratic society. Our members include lawyers, journalists, historians, academics and private citizens.
Our coalition is funded through contributions made by those who value the First Amendment and who strive to keep government accountable. Please make a donation here.
Major Supporters of NEFAC include Hearst Connecticut Media Group, The Boston Globe, Paul and Ann Sagan, WBUR, Boston University and the Robertson Foundation.