The lawsuit of the state representative of Maine Laurel Libby on his recent censorship by the state legislature went to the Federal Court on Friday for his first hearing at Rhode Island. The Judge of the United States District Court, Melissa Dubose, presides over the case and will issue a decision in response to Libby’s request for a preliminary court order in the coming weeks.
Dubose was appointed by former President Joe Biden in early January.
Libby is demanding the president of the House of Representatives, Ryan Fecteau, and the secretary of the Robert Hunt Representatives Chamber after the Democratic majority voted to censor it in a February social media post that identified a Trans athlete who won a state jumping competition with pole.
The premise of censorship was based on the publication of Libby that identifies a minor by name and a photo.
But Libby and his lawyer, Patrick Strawbridge, affirm that censorship against her violates her rights of the first amendment and deprives her her rights to her more than 9,000 voters. On Friday, they argued that the punishment was “extreme” and enters “unprecedented territory” by silencing an elected official.
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The assistant attorney general of Maine, Jonathan Bolton and Kimberly Patwardhan, who represent Fecteau and the State, defended censorship, arguing that the decisions about the vote, the adoption of rules and punishments are within the constitutional authority of the Chamber of the Maine.
Libby told Pak Gazette Digital that he feels “optimistic” when leaving the first audience.
“I think our case is strong, and if it is resolved now or in any step in the future, I think that in the end we will prevail. I am optimistic, certainly after today, and I hope that the court will see the damage that is being caused to our voters,” Libby said.
“What was remarkable to me was the dependence of the AAG in which the legislature was above the law … they are almost completely depending on legislative immunity.”
The initial publication of Libby’s social networks led Maine to a continuous conflict with the federal government about the refusal of the State to prohibit trans athletes from women’s sports.
Maine’s girl involved in the battle of Trans athletes reveals how state policies hurt her children’s and sports career
The State has refused to comply with the executive order of President Donald Trump to ban trans athletes of girls and women’s sports, which caused immense federal pressure. Initially, Trump promised to reduce federal funds to the State if he refused to comply with the order during a speech on February 20, days after Libby made his publication on social networks.
The United States Department of Agriculture announced on Wednesday a pause and a continuous review of federal funds to Maine after State rejected Provide equal opportunities to women and girls in educational programs.
The fire of the Freedom of Expression presented an Amicus report in support of Libby on Thursday the day before the first audience.
“If political majorities can impose draconian sanctions on political minorities, then no point of view is safe. That is not a way of maintaining the solid commitment of the United States with a free and open political discourse, and that is why the first amendment prohibits officials from taking reprisals against dissident opinions,” “Senior Fire Supervisor lawyer, he told Pak Gazette Digital.
All Federal Judges of Maine have retired from the case.
The state representative of Maine, Laurel Libby, sounds the alarm for the challenge of the state of the executive order of President Donald Trump that demands the end of the biological men competing in women’s sports. (Getty/Maine representatives house)
The judges, John C. Nivison, John A. Woodcock, Lance E. Walker, Karen F. Wolf, Stacey D. Neumann and Nancy Torresen, signed disqualification orders on Tuesday, shortly after the case was initially presented. No reason for the challenges of the judges was provided. Since then, the case has been sent to the district of Rhode Island.
On March 20, Libby was allowed to speak and present 10 amendments during a vote of the state biannual budget. One of those amendments was not related to the budget, but it was a proposal to keep trans athletes out of girls’ sports.
However, when Libby spoke to present their amendments, multiple Democrats protested, instigating a debate with Republican representatives. Ultimately, Libby amendments were not even considered, and the Democrats moved so that the amendments postponed indefinitely.
