Trump Calls for “Closing the Internet,” Says Believing in “Freedom of Speech” is “Foolish”.
The video you just saw came during a rally in Texas at the end of February, however during last nights television debate Donald Trump briefly touched on the issue once again saying he wants to open up the libel laws against journalists and “make them spend some money“. In addition to limiting freedom of the speech/freedom of the press, it has been reported before that Trump also promises to censor the internet and impose unprecedented sanctions upon it.
“We’ve got to maybe do something with the internet. We’re losing a lot of people because of the internet. We have to talk to them about, maybe in certain areas, closing that internet up in some ways. Somebody will say, ‘Oh freedom of speech, freedom of speech.’ These are foolish people.” – Donald Trump Dec 8, 2015 | Source: http://thefreethoughtproject.com/trump-calls-closing-internet-hours-suggesting-u-s-ban-muslim-immigration/
Rather then write another article critical of Trump I want to show the American people an important issue and show them how they can fight back in this political season.
In 2015 America we already have people being arrested or simple being critical of the police on Facebook: http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2015/09/man-arrested-for-disparaging-police-on-facebook-settles-suit-for-35000/
People have been arrested for operating parody Twitter accounts of politicians: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/05/us/peoria-settles-suit-over-parody-twitter-account-that-mocked-mayor.html
Whats next, is someone going to be arrested for writing an article that criticizes a political party? Is someone who makes a meme going to be sued for libel? Well perhaps if Donald Trump becomes President, they very well might. The examples above are just two of many examples of people who have been dragged through the legal system for expressing free speech. What Donald Trump is talking about here is a SLAPP Lawsuit and they have remained a critical tool for people in positions of authority to stomp out negative press for decades.
What is a SLAPP Lawsuit and why should your care?
These lawsuits can often times be made in claims for millions of dollars. This amount being completely independent of the personal cost of hiring a lawyer (commonly costs over 200$/hr), filing court documents, travel to and from court hearings, et cetera. Even in victory, just the act of having to defend yourself in court could cost you thousands of dollars and months of mental/financial stress. This is exactly why SLAPP lawsuits remain a critical tool for those in positions of power/wealth, such as Donald Trump, and why citizens need to be protected against them. AnonHQ re-posted a report that Sony Pictures has deliberately edited a new film production to avoid a law suit specifically by Donald Trump. If Sony pictures and other corporation fear these types of legal maneuvers you can see why ordinary citizens and activists find themselves particularly vulnerable.
This is why it is important to call attention to this issue in our modern times. Outside of voting in the Presidential election there is something you can do to fight back and fight for your right to freedom of speech. There is new legislation which has been introduced to the House of Representatives and the soule purpose is to eliminate the power of SLAPP Lawsuits. The Bill is named The SPEAK FREE Act of 2016 and it aims to “amend the federal judicial code to allow a person against whom a lawsuit is asserted to file a special motion to dismiss claims referred to as strategic lawsuits against public participation (“SLAPP suits”) that arise from an oral or written statement or other expression, or conduct in furtherance of such expression, by the defendant in connection with an official proceeding or about a matter of public concern.”
In other words this bill will protect you from fascists such as Donald Trump. As this bill is still being debated you are encouraged to do your civic duty and let your opinions be heard. Please email, write or phone into you state Congress members and tell them you support the SPEAK FREE Act, that it has been introduced with bi-partisan support and why you think it is important they pass this bill.
Full Bill | SPEAK FREE Act of 2016: https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/2304
Contact Information – Every Office of US Congress: http://anonhq.com/wp-assets/gov.docx
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By AnonHQ.com
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