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This
was 3 years ago today.
My @GeorgetownICAP colleagues & I, alongside @MikeSigner & more, sued the unlawful militias that had contributed to violence in Charlottesville exactly 2 months earlier.
And it began a journey that continues. /1 https://www.cnn.com/2017/10/12/politics/charlottesville-militia-lawsuit/index.html
This
was 3 years ago today.My @GeorgetownICAP colleagues & I, alongside @MikeSigner & more, sued the unlawful militias that had contributed to violence in Charlottesville exactly 2 months earlier.
And it began a journey that continues. /1 https://www.cnn.com/2017/10/12/politics/charlottesville-militia-lawsuit/index.html
A few months after filing our Charlottesville suit, we at @GeorgetownICAP published a catalogue of state laws that prevent unlawful, unsanctioned private armies.
Here's the current version of that report, updated to reflect today's state laws: /2 https://www.law.georgetown.edu/icap/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2018/04/Prohibiting-Private-Armies-at-Public-Rallies.pdf
Here's the current version of that report, updated to reflect today's state laws: /2 https://www.law.georgetown.edu/icap/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2018/04/Prohibiting-Private-Armies-at-Public-Rallies.pdf
We've continued to sue unlawful militias that endanger public safety & chill the exercise of 1st Amendment free expression.
For example, we at @GeorgetownICAP teamed up with @BerncoDa to prevent the unlawful activity of the "New Mexico Civil Guard": /3 https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/14/us/new-mexico-militia-group-lawsuit/index.html
For example, we at @GeorgetownICAP teamed up with @BerncoDa to prevent the unlawful activity of the "New Mexico Civil Guard": /3 https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/14/us/new-mexico-militia-group-lawsuit/index.html
We've also created fact sheets for all 50 states explaining the laws barring unauthorized private militia groups & what to do if groups of armed individuals are near a polling place or voter registration drive.
Check out your state here: /4 https://www.law.georgetown.edu/icap/our-work/addressing-the-rise-of-unlawful-private-paramilitaries/state-fact-sheets/
Check out your state here: /4 https://www.law.georgetown.edu/icap/our-work/addressing-the-rise-of-unlawful-private-paramilitaries/state-fact-sheets/
And we've prepared a toolkit discussing legal principles, best practices, & creative solutions upon which local jurisdictions may draw to protect public safety while respecting constitutional rights.
Take a look here: https://constitutionalprotestguide.org/ICAP-Protest_and_Public_Safety-Toolkit-072720.pdf /5
Take a look here: https://constitutionalprotestguide.org/ICAP-Protest_and_Public_Safety-Toolkit-072720.pdf /5
Finally, check out my @GeorgetownICAP colleague Mary McCord's @nytopinion piece on how the plot against Michigan's Governor reveals the dangers of unaccountable, unlawful private militias: /6 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/08/opinion/militias-gretchen-whitmer.html
This is ultimately a struggle to ensure that government--not private actors--have a monopoly on the use of legitimate force in our society.
That means it's a struggle for core principles of our democracy.
That struggle continues. /END
That means it's a struggle for core principles of our democracy.
That struggle continues. /END
