Posts in SLAPP Stories
Historical SLAPPs: NAACP v. Claiborne Hardware Co.

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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Massachusetts court prevents use of Anti-SLAPP law by ExxonMobil.

After facing repercussions for “misleading Massachusetts investors about the fossil fuel-driven climate change risks to its business and deceptively advertising its fossil fuel products to Massachusetts consumers.” Exxon tried to dismiss the suit using anti-SLAPP laws. The Massachusetts supreme judicial court denied the motion preserving the purpose of the anti-SLAPP law.

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Trump’s legal threats underscore need for stronger anti-SLAPP laws

Rick Blum, Policy Director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, writes about President Trump's recent legal threats against the author and publisher of "Fire and Fury" to illustrate the need for stronger legal protections for journalists' reporting and other protected speech. 

Read more here.

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Trump’s legal threats underscore need for stronger anti-SLAPP laws

Rick Blum writes:

"President Donald Trump’s legal threats against the publisher and author of the most recent insider account of the White House may strike a nerve with journalists who are fearful of expensive legal defenses and chill valuable news reporting, but the threats could lose much of their power if states or Congress strengthened a tool that judges may use to dismiss meritless lawsuits involving speech protected under the First Amendment." 
 

Read more here.

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Bradbury v. Superior Court

In 1992, deputy sheriff Gary Spencer shot and killed a citizen during execution of a search warrant in California. Following an investigation by the district attorney, the deputy was exonerated.However, the district attorney’s public report of the investigation questioned the veracity of the affidavit supporting the search warrant, suggesting that the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department was “motivated, at least in part, by a desire to seize and forfeit the ranch for the government…. Based in part upon the possibility of forfeiture, Spencer obtained a search warrant that was not supported by probable cause.”

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Nebraska Farmers SLAPPed for Public Comments on the Environment

In 2000, hog producer Furnas County Farms in Nebraska sued two local farmers for defamation arising from written comments the farmers had filed about Furnas’ environmental record with state regulators. The farmers countersued under the Nebraska anti-SLAPP law, and in 2005, a jury rejected Furnas’ defamation claims and ordered it to pay $900,000 in damages plus legal fees.

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Food Workers Union Sued for Campaign

In 2007, Smithfield foods filed a federal lawsuit against the United Food and Commercial workers, claiming that the union orchestrated a public smear campaign to hurt Smithfield’s business as a method of extorting the company and alleging $5 million in damages. Part of the “smear campaign” was the encouragement of local government entities to censure Smithfield’s practices.

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Unlawful Search Suit Settled After RICO Countersuit

In Washington state, in 1986, police entered the homes of two Roma (Gypsy) families on a faulty warrant and searched family members – including a baby – who were not the subjects of the warrant. The families sought $59 million in damages, and the city and county countersued in federal court, alleging violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).

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