New York’s amended anti-SLAPP law is now three years old. Below is a summary of cases over the past three years in which courts have granted anti-SLAPP motions under the amended statute. This list will be updated monthly.
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Recent defamation suits in Idaho have highlighted the ability of wealthy parties to use frivolous legal claims to unfairly drain the resources of their less affluent opponents. Idaho is one of only 18 states who have no anti-SLAPP law on the books currently. Opinion writer Bryan Clark discusses the need for a state-wide anti-SLAPP law here.
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On November 9, a California judge dismissed the $3.8 million defamation lawsuit against Phoebe Bridgers based on California’s anti-SLAPP statute. Representatives for Bridgers stated that the lawsuit, filed by studio owner Chris Nelson, was filed for the sole purpose of causing harm to the star’s reputation and career. Read more about the suit here.
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The Public Participation Project is excited to report that Representative Jamie Raskin has introduced the SLAPP Protection Act of 2022, H.R. 8864, a bill aiming to curtail meritless anti-speech lawsuits at the federal level.
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At a hearing held by Rep. Jamie Raskin, members of the House Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties discussed whether fossil fuel companies use SLAPPs to intimidate free speech. Raskin noted that through these suits, individuals and civic groups who speak on climate-related issues can face expensive and protracted litigation levelled by the corporations. Read more about the discussion, which touched on global and domestic activism and the need for a federal anti-SLAPP law, in the House press release.
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Prather, a First Amendment lawyer in Austin, Texas, is headed to Europe on a Fulbright scholarship to study how meritless lawsuits meant to silence critics have impacted human rights. She also plans to push European Union countries to adopt protections against those suits, like “anti-SLAPP” laws in Texas and other US states.
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In 1982, the United States Supreme Court ruled that states cannot prohibit the peaceful protest of a political boycott. This ruling followed after a coalition of Black Mississippi citizens launched two boycotts against white businesses in the area. In response, the boycotted merchants filed a lawsuit in Mississippi state court. Despite not being labeled as such at the time, this suit was a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation.
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In 1908, Roosevelt filed a retaliatory libel suit against Journalist Joseph Pulitzer over statements in several newspaper articles. The suit would span into a years-long battle that would ultimately land before the Supreme Court.
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New Jersey Assemblyman Raj Mukherji (D) and Sen. Joseph Lagana (D) introduced Bill A4393 in June. This legislation would provide an expedited motion to dismiss SLAPP suits in the state, which currently has no anti-SLAPP law. Modelled after the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act, the bill emphasizes the protection of free speech in all forms, including protests, publications, and more. Read more in the New Jersey Monitor.
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The United Kingdom announced new measures to provide its courts with powers to stop wealthy individuals or large businesses, as well as Russian oligarchs, from abusing the UK legal system to silence critics.
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Global Citizen is a international activist group focusing on human rights and advocating for those who cannot help themselves. They recently put out a quiz in hopes of testing your knowledge of SLAPPs and how they affect activist all across the globe.
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Read about EFF’s state-by-state improvements for anti-SLAPP state legislation.
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Read about Kelcy Warren’s ongoing defamation suit against Democrat, Beto O’Rourke.
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Why Iowa needs a new law to protect your right to free expression on matters of public concern.
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