MODESTO, Calif. — The ACLU Foundation of Northern California is suing the City of Modesto over an ordinance that bans masks and personal safety gear at public demonstrations.
The ACLU said the ordinance was adopted in 2019 and has been amended twice. They said it stifles free speech and expression and even infringes on journalists’ right to report on protests because it is both too vague and too broad.
“Modesto’s ordinance forces people to choose between exercising their fundamental First Amendment rights and their personal safety,” said Chessie Thacher, senior staff attorney at the ACLU of Northern California. “Nearly fifty years ago, a California court ruled that a similar law was unconstitutional. We shouldn’t have to fight about this now when our free speech is more critical than ever. The ordinance would be ridiculous if the personal risk and criminal consequences weren’t so serious.”…