A group of Columbia attorneys has warned Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) that she can’t block Twitter users she doesn’t like because she’s a public figure, the Blaze reported.
These same free speech defenders sued President Donald Trump for the same reason earlier this year and won.
The Knight First Amendment Institute sent Ocasio-Cortez a letter on Wednesday saying that blocking Twitter users is “unconstitutional,” and telling her “to unblock any Twitter users whom you or your staff have blocked from the @AOC account because of the viewpoints they have expressed.”
“We recognize that you may wish to block users for reasons that are both reasonable and constitutionally legitimate — for example, because their speech is threatening,” the letter added.
AOC pushes back
The congresswoman responded to the letter on Twitter, saying that she has only blocked 20 out of 5.2 million followers and that those blocked were abusing her.
1. I have 5.2 million followers. Less than 20 accounts are blocked for ongoing harassment. 0 are my constituents.
2. Harassment is not a viewpoint. Some accounts, like the Daily Caller, posted fake nude photos of me & abused my comments to spread it. No one is entitled to abuse. https://t.co/0QWKqJFzRe
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) August 29, 2019
Getting Personal
“People are free to speak whatever classist, racist, false, misogynistic, bigoted comments they’d like,” she went on to say, but they “do not have the right to force others to endure their harassment and abuse.”
Ocasio-Cortez further argued that the @AOC handle was a personal one. She also has a @RepAOC handle, but has used the personal one as an extension of her office and posted politically-based and policy tweets there, the lawyers argued.
Trump made the same argument about his personal Twitter handle, but he lost in the suit when a ruling was made in June that he could not block users.
Harrassment okay?
The Justice Department is currently appealing the ruling against Trump, so Ocasio-Cortez may have to side with Trump on something. Wouldn’t that be ironic?
The fact is, social media has gotten way out of control. Americans have a First Amendment right to speak their minds, but people should also have some recourse to protect themselves from online harassment and lies.
And why shouldn’t public figures be allowed to control who posts on their social media page? Public figures shouldn’t have to subject themselves to abuse any more than anyone else.
Civil discourse seems to demand some more limits on social media use all around, but unfortunately it’s difficult to trust how these limits are applied to conservatives and Republicans when the major social media platforms are all so far left.
200 Responses
Great post and straight to the point. I don’t know if this is in fact the best place to ask but do you folks have any ideea where to get some professional writers? Thanks in advance 🙂
Saved as a favorite, I really like your blog!
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a very well written article. I will make sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I will certainly return.
An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a co-worker who was conducting a little research on this. And he actually ordered me dinner due to the fact that I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending the time to talk about this subject here on your internet site.
This is a topic which is close to my heart… Cheers! Exactly where are your contact details though?
Just as before, you need to alteration your tax bill obligations for anybody who is expected an important substantial return.
Having read this I thought it was extremely enlightening. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this information together. I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worth it!
hi, your site is fantastic. I truly do many thanks for operate
I’ve you bookmarked to check out|aid|onerous|I believe that you should|the good|thanks!|properly
I like this web blog very much, Its a really nice place to read and get info .
481740 488157Hi! Someone in my Facebook group shared this web site with us so I came to check it out. Im undoubtedly loving the info. Im book-marking and is going to be tweeting this to my followers! Outstanding weblog and great design and style. 855733
MadcoW makes high end handmade custom leather dog collars with a lifetime warranty.
Hey! I simply would like to give an enormous thumbs up for the nice info you have here on this post. I might be coming again to your weblog for more soon.
I¡¦ve learn some good stuff here. Certainly worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how a lot effort you place to make the sort of fantastic informative web site.
Do you have a spam issue on this website; I also am a blogger, and I was curious about your situation; many of us have developed some nice methods and we are looking to swap methods with others, be sure to shoot me an e-mail if interested.
I do believe all the ideas you’ve presented on your post. They’re very convincing and can certainly work. Still, the posts are too brief for beginners. May just you please lengthen them a bit from subsequent time? Thanks for the post.
Excellent post! We are linking to this great post on our website. Keep up the good writing.
I am not sure where you’re getting your info, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for fantastic information I was looking for this info for my mission.
Your style is unique compared to other folks I have read stuff from. Thank you for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I’ll just book mark this page.
Thanks for your article. It is rather unfortunate that over the last 10 years, the travel industry has had to tackle terrorism, SARS, tsunamis, bird flu, swine flu, as well as the first ever entire global economic depression. Through everthing the industry has really proven to be strong, resilient in addition to dynamic, discovering new solutions to deal with adversity. There are often fresh challenges and the possiblility to which the marketplace must once more adapt and act in response.
Can I simply say what a comfort to discover someone who truly knows what they’re talking about on the web. You definitely realize how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More and more people need to look at this and understand this side of your story. I was surprised that you’re not more popular because you most certainly possess the gift.
After looking at a handful of the articles on your web site, I honestly like your way of blogging. I book marked it to my bookmark webpage list and will be checking back in the near future. Please visit my web site too and tell me how you feel.
I am not sure where you’re getting your information, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thanks for fantastic information I was looking for this info for my mission.
After I initially commented I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on whenever a comment is added I receive 4 emails with the exact same comment. There has to be a way you are able to remove me from that service? Thanks!
Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thanks, However I am going through problems with your RSS. I don’t understand the reason why I can’t subscribe to it. Is there anybody else getting identical RSS issues? Anybody who knows the answer will you kindly respond? Thanx!!
I enjoy the efforts you have put in this, thank you for all the great articles.
I’m amazed, I have to admit. Rarely do I encounter a blog that’s equally educative and engaging, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. The problem is something that not enough folks are speaking intelligently about. I’m very happy that I found this during my hunt for something regarding this.
I would like to thnkx for the efforts you’ve put in writing this site. I’m hoping the same high-grade site post from you in the upcoming as well. Actually your creative writing skills has inspired me to get my own blog now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings fast. Your write up is a great example of it.
Very interesting information!Perfect just what I was searching for! “We are shaped and fashioned by what we love.” by Johann von Goethe.
An interesting discussion is definitely worth comment. I do think that you need to write more about this subject, it may not be a taboo matter but generally people do not speak about such subjects. To the next! Cheers!!
Hello! I know this is kinda off topic nevertheless I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest authoring a blog article or vice-versa? My blog discusses a lot of the same topics as yours and I feel we could greatly benefit from each other. If you are interested feel free to send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you! Superb blog by the way!
Very good blog post. I absolutely love this website. Stick with it!
A fascinating discussion is definitely worth comment. I do think that you need to write more on this issue, it may not be a taboo matter but usually people don’t speak about such topics. To the next! Many thanks!!
I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good. I don’t know who you are but definitely you are going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!
I was curious if you ever considered changing the structure of your blog? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or two pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?
I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here. The sketch is attractive, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an nervousness over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this hike.
Aw, this was an extremely nice post. Finding the time and actual effort to generate a top notch article… but what can I say… I put things off a whole lot and don’t manage to get nearly anything done.
Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Thanks, However I am encountering issues with your RSS. I don’t understand why I cannot join it. Is there anybody having the same RSS issues? Anyone who knows the solution will you kindly respond? Thanks!!
Definitely believe that which you stated. Your favorite reason appeared to be at the net the easiest thing to be mindful of. I say to you, I definitely get irked while other people think about worries that they plainly don’t recognize about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the top and outlined out the entire thing without having side effect , folks can take a signal. Will likely be again to get more. Thank you
I blog often and I genuinely thank you for your information. Your article has really peaked my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and keep checking for new details about once a week. I opted in for your Feed too.