In one of two opinions issued on Thursday, the Supreme Court struck down a Minnesota law that restricted the wearing of “political apparel” – like MAGA hats – at polling stations. In a 7-2 ruling, the court said the law violates First Amendment protections on free speech. In addition to Minnesota, at least nine other states – Delaware, Kansas, Montana, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Vermont – have similar laws. In its opinion, the court said that MAGA hats and “#MeToo” pins should be allowed to be visible at polling places across the US. The case was brought by the Minnesota Voters Alliance, which initially challenged the state’s ban.
The big question now is, will this 9-year-old student should be allowed to wear a MAGA hat in school – where he was asked to take it off by the principal when the hat reportedly became “disruptive” (other students found it offensive)?
Next, the Supreme Court should think about weighing in on whether this New York City Trump supporter should’ve been allowed to wear his hat inside local business establishments after he was kicked out of a bar in the West Village for reportedly wearing his MAGA hat.
Circling back to the ruling, Andrew Cilek, the founder of the MVA, sued the state after he was forced to cover a shirt with the slogan “Don’t Tread on Me” during a trip to the polls. The shirt included a small Tea Party logo, and an image of the Gadsden Flag. Cilek was also wearing a “Please ID Me” button with the website and phone number of the group Election Integrity Watch.
The ruling is yet another confirmation that people should be allowed to wear “political apparel” wherever they go in the “Land of The Free.”
via RSS https://ift.tt/2LQFMoQ Tyler Durden