Posts In Category
Constitution & Law
SCOTUS Asked to Protect Cell Phone Records Against Warrantless Government Surveillance
WASHINGTON, DC — Denouncing the now widespread tactic employed by police departments, big and small, of spying on Americans via their cell phones with little to no oversight, The Rutherford Institute is asking the United States Supreme Court to require police agencies to secure a warrant before executing a cell …
Court Rules in Favor of First Amendment Rights of Controversial ‘Alt Right’ Activist’s Right to Protest in Historic Park
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — In a resounding victory for the First Amendment right to free speech, a federal court has ruled that government officials cannot prevent activists who espouse highly controversial views from protesting in a historic downtown park, while allowing counterdemonstrators access to parks in the vicinity. In granting a …
Attorneys Call for City Representatives to Respect First Amendment Right of Naval Officer to Play ‘Taps’ in Honor of Fallen Heroes
The Rutherford Institute is calling on officials in Glen Rock, Penn., to withdraw an order to an active-duty naval officer to cease and desist playing “Taps” on a sound system on his five-acre residential property or face a criminal fine of $300. Lt. Commander Joshua Corney was informed that his …
Liberty & Law Trumps Emotion: Understanding Freedom of Speech
The mayor of Portland, Oregon called for the revocation of permits for a “March Against Shariah” because the content of the presentation is “untimely.” Here are the Facts: The rally was to be on federal property within the city of Portland, so the federal government must issue the permits. The rally …
Let’s Study the Constitution, Part 9: The 9th & 10th Amendments
The Ninth Amendment, also known as the “silent” Amendment, says “The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.” What does this mean? What makes the Ninth Amendment unique is that it guarantees protection of all our rights …
Let’s Study the Constitution – Part 8: The 6th, 7th & 8th Amendments
“In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and …
From Duty to be Armed to Permission to Carry
“If the central government has the authority to tell a state it must accept permits from all the other states, then it also has the authority to tell a state it may not accept a concealed permit from any other states. If the central government can do these things it …
Supreme Court asked to Strike Down MN Law Banning Political Expression on Clothing Worn at Polling Places
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Challenging a Minnesota law that bans political speech on any “badge, button, shirt, or hat” worn at election polling stations, attorneys for The Rutherford Institute, Cato Institute, Reason Foundation, and The Individual Rights Foundation are calling on the United States Supreme Court to review the case of Minnesota …
What Do Gun Owners Do When the Supreme Court Won’t Acknowledge Their Right to Self Defense?
Fox News recently reported, “After postponing the order multiple times, the nation’s highest court rejected a review of Peruta v. California. In the case, gun rights activists argued that a ‘good cause’ requirement on concealed carry permits is too restrictive.” At issue, in this case, is concealed carry and whether a …
Let’s Study the Constitution, Part 7: The 3rd, 4th & 5th Amendments
The Third Amendment reads, “No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war except in a manner prescribed by law.” This Amendment, introduced by James Madison, was important to the Framers because of the callous …