FEBRUARY 2008 FAP IS OFFERING INTERNSHIPS - A GREAT EXPERIENCE IN LITIGATION AND EDUCATION!!! February 5, 2008 The First Amendment Project is seeking 1L or 2L students to assist with its litigation and education efforts. FAP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the fundamental civil liberties of freedom of speech, of the press and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. FAP provides legal and educational resources in these areas to its core constituency of activists, journalists and artists. [Read more] JULY 2005 FIRST AMENDMENT NEWS -- VICTORIES, ACTIVITIES, AUCTIONS AND BLOGS!!! July 29, 2005 FAP represented Katherine Lopez, an elected member of Barrio Logan Community Planning Group, an organization created by the City of San Diego to offer community input in all decisions of the San Diego Planning Department. Ms. Lopez was sued for defamation after sending an email urging members of her community to testify before the community planning group if they had any concerns about the way the developer of a proposed residential complex treated his existing tenants. In her email she related some of the concerns that had already been reported to her, including alleged threats to undocumented tenants. Ms. Lopez's conduct in encouraging others to participate in the community planning group process was classic petitioning conduct protected by both the First Amendment and California Civil Code 47. FAP obtained a voluntary dismissal of the lawsuit after informing plaintiff's counsel that an anti-SLAPP motion would be immediately forthcoming. [Read more] MARCH 2005 FIRST AMENDMENT VICTORY -- JUDGE DISMISSES RACKETEERING SLAPP SUIT March 24, 2005 Upholding the First Amendment right to petition the government for redress of grievances, a federal district judge Monday dismissed a lawsuit filed against a Big Bear Lake environmental activist by a San Diego-based developer. Sandy Steers, a resident of the community of Fawnskin, had been sued by Marina Point Development Associates under the federal Racketeer-Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, a law designed to root out mob activities. Marina Point claimed that Ms. Steers conspired with officials of the U.S. Forest Service to "derail" the project by urging various governmental agencies to enforce laws to protect bald eagles in the area. [Read more] FEBRUARY 2005 FIRST AMENDMENT PROJECT UPDATE February 10, 2005 Does the First Amendment go too far? Disturbing Results from Survey of Students and Educators FAP Launches Redesigned Website Case Profile: Activist Sued as Racketeer [Read more] --The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution First Amendment Project is a non-profit advocacy organization dedicated to protecting and promoting freedom of information, expression, and petition. FAP provides advice, educational materials, and legal representation to its core constituency of activists, journalists, and artists in service of these fundamental liberties. 1736 Franklin St., 9th Floor Oakland, CA 94612 Phone: 510.208.7744 Fax: 510.208.4562 www.thefirstamendment.org