ACLU: Settlement in anti-Bush T-shirt case

[EV_Ares]

Federal government to pay $80,000 to Texas couple arrested at rally



CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A couple arrested at a rally after refusing to cover T-shirts that bore anti-President Bush slogans settled their lawsuit against the federal government for $80,000, the American Civil Liberties Union announced Thursday.

Nicole and Jeffery Rank of Corpus Christi, Texas, were handcuffed and removed from the July 4, 2004, rally at the state Capitol, where Bush gave a speech. A judge dismissed trespassing charges against them, and an order closing the case was filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Charleston.

“This settlement is a real victory not only for our clients but for the First Amendment,” said Andrew Schneider, executive director of the ACLU of West Virginia. “As a result of the Ranks’ courageous stand, public officials will think twice before they eject peaceful protesters from public events for exercising their right to dissent.”

Story continues below ↓

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20310306/

[spindoctor]

1. Ka-ching!

It does pay to do the right thing :)

[WidowsSon]

2. Try them, Put them in jail

80k is nothing to the guys that violated these people in the first place. The fascists in power aren't going to learn unless they are held to account. Federal criminal charges for the violation of civil rights would have been more appropriate.

[mainegreen]

5. I agree completely.

Welcome to DU!

[Callalily]

3. Congrats to the Ranks!

Indeed they did show courage. I'm amazed that they won! How inspiring!

[John Kerry VonErich]

4. Too low

$80,000 isn't good enough, that ammount is nothing to the feds. Should be over a million.

[Breeze54]

6. More $$ would've been good but they won on principle!!

:woohoo: :woohoo:

I'm glad to hear this!!! :D

:kick: & Recommended!