David Lammy is promising action of law suits intended to silence critics & journalists (referred to as SLAPPs - strategic lawsuits against public participation). But this is not the first time our political class has promised action on SLAPPs, so forgive me if I am reticent about celebrating any promised moves to curtail this sort of 'law fare' against transparency.
At the moment it remains more declaratory politics than actual legislative action!
📢 See you in court? Join us for a new Civic Journalism Coalition Webinar on 27 Nov. 📢
🤔 Are you a journalist or work for a civil society org? Are you interested in how to use journalistic evidence in litigation? And how to defend yourself against #SLAPPs?
➡️ https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/o7Yd4CRuT_akRtTQInKStg#/registration
Einschüchtern, drohen, klagen – so wird Kritik erstickt
#SLAPPs = Einschüchterungsklagen.
Ziel: Kritiker mundtot machen.
Die Bundesregierung legt ein #AntiSLAPP-Gesetz vor – aber ohne Schutz vor Abmahnungen bleibt es zahnlos.
Mehr Biss gegen SLAPP! 🐊 statt 🐠
✍️ Hier unterzeichnen:
https://www.regenwald.org/petitionen/1313/einschuechtern-drohen-klagen-so-wird-kritik-erstickt?t=27608
#SLAPP #StopSLAPP #AntiSLAPP #Meinungsfreiheit #Demokratie #RettetdenRegenwald
Dans son ouvrage « Réduire au silence », la juriste Sophie Lemaître démontre comment les procédures-bâillons – ou #SLAPPS - constituent une menace existentielle pour la démocratie et l’État de droit : https://www.ruedelechiquier.net/essais/523-reduire-au-silence.html
❌ Sherpa dénonce depuis des années ces procédures, qui ne visent pas la victoire judiciaire mais la censure. Pour retrouver notre plaidoyer 👉 https://www.asso-sherpa.org/plaidoyer-poursuites-baillons-et-represailles
pressefreiheit
#Einschüchterung oder rechtmäßige #Verteidigung?
Vob Ann-Kathrin #Leclere
Ein Referentenentwurf der Bundesregierung von Mitte Juni zur Umsetzung einer EU-Richtlinie in nationales Recht spaltet aktuell die Rechtslandschaft und Vertreter:innen der #Pressefreiheit.
Es geht um sogenannte „#Slapps“
https://www.taz.de/!6101904
YIKES! Please read and share this!
via @UnicornRiot
"We’ve been forced to spend around $55,000 to date because of Energy Transfer’s legal campaign against our freedom of the press.
"We’ve only raised back $38,916 of this so far.
"Your donation helps us keep operating despite corporate attempts to silence us"
https://donorbox.org/unicorn-riot-nodapl-legal-defense
#EnergyTransfer #SLAPPs #NoDAPL #WaterIsLife #MutualAid #LegalDefenseFund #SilencingDissent #Resistance #CorporateColonialism #Oiligarchy #CriminalizingDissent #CriminalizingProtest #Authoritarianism #EnergyTransfer #StandWithStandingRock #StandingRockSioux #IndigenousResistance #IndigenousAllies #DAPL #NorthDakota #StandWithStandingRock #SLAPPsLawsuits #FossilFuel #BigOilAndGas #Academi #ErikPrince #Blackwater #ACAB #PrivateSecurity #BigOil #KelcyWarren #Oiligarchy #WaterProtectors #CorporateFascism #StandingRockReservation
slapp suits are vile, and a sign of a decaying, fascist and feudal society
#cdnpoli #canada #mexico #fascism #antifa #elbowsup #bcpoli #vancouver #burnaby #canlab #unitedhealthcare #amazon #vimeo #SLAPPs
https://dgivista.org/2025/07/14/slapp-suits-are-vile-and-a-sign-of-a-decaying-fascist-and-feudal-society/
So now that both #Apple and #Meta have formally appealed the #DMA fines that are just pocket money for them, can we please start calling those lawsuits for what they are: intimidation similar to #SLAPPs.
They are designed to bind public resources for years, which regulators will lack for enforcing the #DigitalMarketsAct, to intimidate civil servants in the @EUCommission, and to show us that #BigTech is above the law and that we are helpless.
Let's not be intimidated. #ResistBigTech
Greenpeace International begins groundbreaking Anti-SLAPP case to protect freedom of speech
#slapps
Greenpeace International begins groundbreaking Anti-SLAPP case to protect freedom of speech
#slapps
www.greenpeace.org/internationa...
Greenpeace International begin...
From the Marshall Islands to the Dakotas, environmental crimes cannot be covered up thediplomat.com/2025/05/from... #slapps
From Marshall Islands to Dakot...
Μπαράζ διώξεων στην Τήνο για τα Αιολικά – Ένας αγώνας που δεν φιμώνεται
https://infolibre.gr/2025/06/03/mparaz-dioxeon-stin-tino-gia-ta-aiolika-enas-agonas-poy-den-fimonetai/
# # #SLAPPs # #
Αγωγές SLAPP: Αγώνας ενάντια στη φίμωση δημοσιογράφων και πολιτών – Εκδήλωση 29/5 στο Ωραίον Ντεπώ
https://infolibre.gr/2025/05/29/agoges-slapp-agonas-enantia-sti-fimosi-dimosiografon-kai-politon-ekdilosi-29-5-sto-oraion-ntepo/
# # # #alterthess #SLAPPs #
Morgen ist #TagDerPressefreiheit. Doch wir verteidigen sie jeden Tag! Zuletzt haben wir mit der @OttoBrennerStiftung, dem Umweltinstitut und der dju in Verdi eine Studie dazu veröffentlicht, wie Unternehmen und rechtsextreme Akteure die Presse gezielt mit #SLAPPS einschüchtern.
Die Studie gibt es hier: https://www.otto-brenner-stiftung.de/einschuechterung-ist-das-ziel/
Du willst unsere Arbeit unterstützen? Dann schau einmal auf unserer Webseite vorbei: freiheitsrechte.org/mitmachen
In line with a global trend, #SLAPPs are increasingly used across #Europe by powerful individuals and entities to suppress public participation and critical reporting on public interest matters. Join this side-event to @unesco.org's #WPFD and register by April 30th! ⬇️
RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:t6n5noiowpxbrq5skuqcf72n/post/3lnf4njs7gc2s
It looks like #HandsOff was successful in that now the #TrumpRegime is going to try and silence the organizers!
Core Democratic groups are preparing to be targeted by the #Trump administration
By STEVE PEOPLES
Updated 12:14 PM EDT, April 15, 2025
NEW YORK (AP) — "As President Donald Trump pushes the historical boundaries of executive power, some of the Democratic Party’s core political institutions are preparing for the possibility that the federal government may soon launch criminal investigations against them.
"The Democrats’ dominant national fundraising platform, #ActBlue, and the party’s largest #protest group, #Indivisible, are working with their attorneys for just such a scenario, according to officials within both organizations. Trump’s top political allies have suggested both groups should face prosecution.
"Other Democratic allies are planning for Trump-backed legal crackdowns as well. Wary of antagonizing the Republican president, most prefer to stay anonymous for now.
" 'Every one of our clients is concerned about being arbitrarily targeted by the Trump administration. We are going to great lengths to help clients prepare for or defend themselves,' said Ezra Reese, political law chair at Elias Law Group, which represents Democratic groups and candidates and is chaired by Marc Elias, the lawyer who has himself been a Trump target.
"An FBI spokesperson declined to comment when asked about potential investigations into ActBlue and Indivisible. But White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt did not downplay the threat of a potential criminal probe when asked specifically whether Trump wants the FBI, the Treasury Department or any other federal agency to investigate Democratic groups."
#SilencingDissent #CriminalizingProtest #USPol #CriminalizingDissent #Authoritarianism #Fascism #Clampdown #CharacteristicsOfFascism #TrafficInterference #Crackdown #SLAPPs #VagueLaws #ProtestOrganizers #ProtestSponsors #ProtestSupporters #FirstAmendment
From 2024: States Are Restricting Protests and Criminalizing Dissent
United States of Suppression is a series documenting the recent crackdown on dissent and protests in the U.S. This op-ed discusses what happens when protesting becomes a crime.
By Elly Page and Alana Greer
June 26, 2024
Excerpt: "Since 2017, 21 states across the country have passed new laws that restrict protests — nearly 50 in total — with dozens more being introduced annually.
"Most of these new laws increase criminal penalties for conduct, like interfering with traffic, involved in some kinds of protests. Under laws passed in states such as #Arkansas, #Iowa, and #Tennessee, protesters can spend up to a year in jail for 'obstructing' public #streets or #sidewalks, even though these are traditional venues for First Amendment-related activities. After protests against the #KeystoneXL Pipeline, 14 states dramatically increased penalties for trespassing, which would usually amount to a petty offense, if protesters enter lands with #pipelines or #pipeline construction sites.
"In many cases, these laws go further than punishing individual protesters to include the people and organizations that support them, putting organizers and community groups at risk. Under a recent law in #Oklahoma, an organization that 'conspires' with people to hold a protest can face felony penalties if the protest is deemed to be an 'unlawful assembly' — which state law defines vaguely enough to include a three-person protest that 'disturbs the public peace.' "
Read more:
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/states-restricting-protests-criminalizing
#CriminalizingDissent
#Authoritarianism #Fascism #Clampdown #CriminalizingProtest
#CharacteristicsOfFascism #USPol #PipelineProtestors #TrafficInterference #DisturbingThePeace #BogusCharges #Crackdown #SLAPPs #VagueLaws #ProtestOrganizers #ProtestSponsors #ProtestSupporters #FirstAmendment
State by State Pending and recently passed #AntiProtestLaws: #Texas
HB 3557: New criminal and civil penalties for protests around #CriticalInfrastructure
Creates new criminal sanctions and expansive civil liability for protests near pipelines and other infrastructure facilities, including those under construction. The law provides for four new criminal offenses. One, "impairing or interrupting operation of critical infrastructure facility," is defined as entering or remaining on facility property and intentionally or knowingly "impair[ing] or interrupt[ing] the operation of" the facility. The act is a state jail felony, punishable by up to two years in jail and a $10,000 fine. This provision could target peaceful protests that, e.g., hinder access to #pipelines or #pipeline construction sites. A second offense, "intent to impair or interrupt critical infrastructure," is defined as entering or remaining on facility property "with the intent to impair or interrupt the operation of the facility." The act is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by a year in jail and a $4,000 fine. This provision could capture peaceful protests that take place near a pipeline or other infrastructure facility, regardless of whether they actually impair or interrupt the facility's operations. The law also creates two new felony offenses for "damage" and "intent to damage" critical infrastructure. Under the law, an association that is found guilty of any of the offenses around critical infrastructure is subject to a $500,000 fine. The law also creates new civil and vicarious liability for individuals and organizations related to the criminal offenses: A defendant who engages in conduct covered by any of the criminal offenses is civilly liable to the property owner, as is an organization that "knowingly compensates" a person for engaging in the conduct. The property owner may sue for and claim actual damages, court costs, and exemplary damages.
Full text of bill:
https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=86R&Bill=HB3557
Status: enacted
Introduced 6 Mar 2019; Approved by House 7 May 2019; Approved by Senate 20 May 2019; Signed by Governor Abbott 14 June 2019
Issue(s): Civil Liability, #ProtestSupporters or Funders, Infrastructure
SB 2876: Heightened penalties for protesters who conceal their identity
Would increase criminal penalties that could cover peaceful protesters who choose to wear a mask. Under the bill, a protesters charged with “riot” would face more serious penalties if they were wearing a mask or other face covering with intent to conceal their identity, as compared to someone without a mask. The offense would be a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and $4,000, instead of a Class B misdemeanor. The crime of “riot” under Texas law is defined broadly and does not require violence or other unlawful conduct: The offense covers a group of seven demonstrators whose conduct “substantially obstructs law enforcement or other governmental function or services,” or whose “physical action deprives any person of a legal right or disturbs any person in the enjoyment of a legal right.” Under the bill, a protester who chose to wear a mask to avoid #retaliation for their political views could face significant jail time if their #NonviolentProtest was deemed a “#riot.”
Full text of bill:
https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB2876
Status: pending
Introduced 14 Mar 2025.
Issue(s): Face Covering, Riot
HB 3061: Heightened penalties for masked protesters
Would increase the penalty for protest-related offenses if committed by someone wearing a mask or other disguise to conceal their identity while “congregating with other individuals who were disguised or masked.” Under the bill, the penalty for trespass, “disorderly conduct,” and “riot” would be one degree more severe if committed by a group in which some individuals wore masks. The bill provides an exemption to the penalty enhancement for masks worn during Halloween, a masquerade ball, or “similar celebration,” but not for avoiding retaliation for political speech. “Disorderly conduct” and “riot” are broadly defined under Texas law. Protesters who make “unreasonable noise” in public, for instance, may be charged with “disorderly conduct”; under the bill, such protesters could face significant jail time rather than a fine if they were masked. “Trespass” in Texas also carries significant penalties if committed on #CollegeCampuses, "critical infrastructure," or other select locations, such that peaceful protesters who trespassed on a college campus could face felony rather than misdemeanor penalties if they were masked to avoid retaliation.
Full text of bill:
https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB3061
Status: pending
Introduced 19 Feb 2025.
Issue(s): Campus Protests, Face Covering, Infrastructure, Riot, Trespass
#FirstAmendment #CriminalizingDissent
#Authoritarianism #Fascism #Clampdown #CriminalizingProtest
#CharacteristicsOfFascism #USPol #AntiProtestLaws #PipelineProtests #SLAPPs #MaskedProtesters #AntiMaskLaws
State by State Pending and recently passed #AntiProtestLaws: #SouthDakota
SB 151: New penalties for #protests near #pipelines and other infrastructure
Heightens potential penalties for protests near oil and gas pipelines and other infrastructure. Under the law, knowingly trespassing on property containing a critical infrastructure facility is a misdemeanor punishable by a year in prison and a $2,000 fine. Knowingly tampering with any property and as a direct result interfering, inhibiting, or impeding the maintenance or construction of a critical infrastructure facility is a felony punishable by two years in prison and/or a $4,000 fine. A person or organization found to be a "conspirator" in any of the above offenses faces a range of criminal fines. Any owner, lessee, or operator of any critical infrastructure facility where a crime is committed under one of the above provisions is designated a "victim" under South Dakota law, which entitles them to restitution and other victims' rights. As such, a company that owns a critical infrastructure facility can seek restitution from an individual protester convicted of any of the above provisions, as well as from any person or entity found to be a "conspirator."
Full text of bill:
https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/12001
Status: enacted
Introduced 4 Feb 2020; Approved by Senate 27 February 2020; Approved by House 9 March 2020; Signed by Governor March 18 2020
Issue(s): #ProtestSupporters or Funders, Infrastructure, Trespass
HB 1117: New criminal and civil liability for "incitement to riot"
Revises the state's laws on rioting and replaces a "riot-boosting" law that was passed in 2019 but later blocked by a federal court as unconstitutional. The law revises the definition of "riot" under South Dakota law to be "any intentional use of force or violence by three or more persons, acting together and without authority of law, to cause any injury to any person or any damage to property." Under the law, "incitement to riot" is a new felony offense, punishable by up to 5 years in prison and $10,000 in fines, and defined as conduct that "urges" three or more people to use force or violence to cause personal injury or property damage, if the force or violence is "imminent" and the urging is likely to "incite or produce" the force or violence. The law defines "urging" to include "instigating, inciting, or directing," but excludes "oral or written advocacy of ideas or expression of belief that does not urge" imminent force or violence. Under the law, individuals may additionally be civilly liable for riot and incitement to riot, enabling lawsuits against protesters by the state, counties, or municipalities. Both 2019's "riot-boosting" law and HB 1117 appear to target protests against construction of the #KeystoneXL and other pipelines.
Full text of bill:
https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bills/43
Status: enacted
Introduced 29 Jan 2020; Approved by House 18 February 2020; Approved by Senate 5 March 2020; Signed by Governor Noem 23 March 2020
Issue(s): Civil Liability, Protest Supporters or Funders, Riot
SB 189: Expanded civil liability for protesters and protest funders
**Note: According to an October 24, 2019 settlement agreement that resulted from a constitutional challenge to SB189, the state will not enforce many of the provisions of the law that could be applied to peaceful protesters and organizations that support them.** SB189 created new civil liability for "riot boosters." South Dakota criminal law defines "riot" broadly such that it can cover some forms of peaceful protest; as originally enacted, SB189 created civil liability for a person or organization that "does not personally participate in any riot but directs, advises, encourages, or solicits other persons participating in the riot to acts of force or violence." It was unclear what might have constituted "advice" or "encouragement" to carry out an act of force, such that an individual who shouted encouragement on the sidelines of a disruptive protest, or organizations that provided advice about conducting a peaceful but disruptive protest, might have been implicated. Following the October 24, 2019 settlement, the state will not enforce this provision. Nonetheless, enforceable provisions of the law still establish civil liability for any person or organization that is advised or encouraged by another, and that "makes any threat to use force or violence, if accompanied by immediate power of execution" in a group of three or more persons. The state or a third party may sue the person or organization for extensive civil damages, including punitive damages. Further, enforceable provisions of the law provide that a person or organization is liable for "riot boosting" if they engage in it personally "or through any employee, agent, or subsidiary." Accordingly, individuals, organizations, and funders may still be held civilly liable for substantial amounts of money for any involvement in a disruptive protest. Damages recovered by the state shall, according to the law, be deposited in a "riot boosting recovery fund," which may be used to pay for the state's response to disruptive protests. The law was introduced in response to pipeline protests in other states and ahead of construction of the Keystone XL pipeline in South Dakota.
Full text of bill:
https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/10176
Status: enacted
Introduced 4 Mar 2019; Approved by Senate 7 March 2019; Approved by House 7 March 2019; Signed by Governor Noem 27 March 2019
Issue(s): #CivilLiability, #ProtestSupporters or Funders, Infrastructure, Riot
SB 176: Expanding governor's power to restrict certain protests
Expands the governor's authority to curtail protest activities on public lands and restricts protests that interfere with highway traffic. The law enables the governor and sheriff to prohibit gatherings of 20 or more people on public land, if the gathering might damage the land or interfere with the renter's use of the land. The law enables South Dakota's Department of Transportation to prohibit or otherwise restrict an individual or vehicle from stopping, standing, parking, or being present on any highway if it interferes with traffic. The law also expands the crime of trespass, providing that an individual who defies a posted order not to enter a zone where assembling has been prohibited would be guilty of criminal trespass. Obstructing traffic or committing criminal trespass are classified as Class 1 misdemeanors, punishable by one year in jail or a $2,000 fine, or both. The law was proposed by Governor Daugaard to address potential pipeline protests.
Full text of bill:
https://mylrc.sdlegislature.gov/api/Documents/284178.pdf
Status: enacted
Introduced 3 Mar 2017; Signed by Governor Daugaard 14 March 2017
Issue(s): #TrafficInterference, #Trespass
#FirstAmendment #CriminalizingDissent
#Authoritarianism #Fascism #Clampdown #CriminalizingProtest
#CharacteristicsOfFascism #USPol #AntiProtestLaws #PipelineProtests #SLAPPs #NoKXL #WaterDefenders
#Einschüchterungsklagen – sogenannte #SLAPPs – bedrohen zunehmend die #Pressefreiheit in #Europa.
Journalist:innen, Aktivist:innen und Forschende werden mit kostspieligen Verfahren unter Druck gesetzt.
Eine neue #EU-Richtlinie soll Abhilfe schaffen, greift aber nur bei grenzüberschreitenden Fällen.
Organisationen wie #CASE und Reporter Ohne Grenzen fordern nun eine konsequente Umsetzung – auch in Deutschland.
