San Francisco, CA – Sept. 1, 2024: Mike Yoder, the founder and president of Citizen AG, has filed a federal lawsuit against Mark Zuckerberg, Meta Platforms, Inc., Vice President Kamala Harris, and former White House Digital Director Rob Flaherty on First Amendment grounds, citing unlawful censorship and suppression of political speech.
The 88-page complaint, which was filed late Sunday evening, comes just days after Zuckerberg admitted to Congressman Jim Jordan that senior White House officials “repeatedly pressured” the Big Tech giant to censor COVID-19 related content and that Meta succumbed “in the wake of the pressure.”
Yoder meticulously breaks down exactly how the Biden Administration relentlessly pressured Meta for months on end and cites dozens of White House emails, meetings, and phone calls, notes, and threats to support his claims. Yoder also points out how Kamala Harris has repeatedly vowed to suppress free speech, which according to Harris, is just a “privilege” –– not a fundamental right.
"Government officials cannot circumvent constitutional protections by using private companies to do their bidding," Yoder stated. "This lawsuit aims to hold those in power accountable for their actions and to safeguard the rights that have been enshrined in our Constitution since our nation’s inception."
Yoder is seeking a declaratory judgment that the defendants' actions violated his First Amendment rights and is asking for an injunction to prevent further government interference in the free speech of American citizens through private entities.
"Despite what Kamala thinks—free speech is a constitutional right, and I will fight to ensure not just our free speech but that all constitutional rights are preserved,” Yoder said.
When asked why he was filing this lawsuit, Yoder responded, “The Constitution doesn’t need to be re-written; it needs to be reread. We have due process rights that give us the ability to hold our government accountable, and I will exercise those rights every single time rogue leaders infringe upon the freedoms and guarantees this nation was built upon.”
Yoder also added a message to all Americans, stating “I am hopeful that fighting for our freedom inspires more Americans to stand firm in defending their rights and that others will consider becoming a part of Citizen AG. I founded this nonprofit to educate Americans about their rights and advocate for our civil liberties in the courts, and that is exactly what I am doing now, and will continue to do as long as God allows.”
This lawsuit represents a significant legal challenge to the increasing trend of government involvement in regulating speech on social media platforms. As the case moves forward, it is expected to draw considerable attention and could have far-reaching implications for the relationship between the government, private companies, and the rights of individuals in the digital age.
Visit www.CItizenAG.org to learn more or click here to make a tax-deductible contribution today.
Contact:
Mike Yoder
Citizen AG
Tel: (442) 427-8136
Comentarios