FC: Washington state loses battle to censor Justicefiles.org

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

Elena's message forwarded with permission. Also see:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/123525_info24.html
http://www.politechbot.com/cgi-bin/politech.cgi?name=justicefiles
http://www.politechbot.com/kirkland/

-Declan

---

Date: Fri, 23 May 2003 13:26:52 -0700
To: declan () well com
From: Elena Luisa Garella <garella () mindspring com>

Declan-- the "anti-bill sheehan law" was struck down by Federal District 
Court Judge Cougenour yesterday.

Bill Sheehan was forced to pull down his website, which featured criticism 
of police, with their names, home addresses, SSNs, etc, after RCW 
6.24.680-700 was passed last year.  The law created liability for releasing 
the personal identifying information of police and court-related personnel 
"with the intent to harm or intimidate."  (Of course, you could still 
release it for profit, or to praise the cops).

The Court handed down a very good pro-internet, pro-free speech 
ruling.  Guess what?  "Thought-policing is not a compelling state interest 
recognized by the First Amendment."  Hallelujah.

No electronic copy of the decision is available.  If you want me to fax it 
to you, please fax your number.

Elena Garella
Attorney for William Sheehan
927 N Northlake Way, Ste 301
Seattle, WA 98103




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