Harassed by two members of the California Highway Patrol, First Amendment Freedom of Speech was upheld Thursday by Indivisible Santa Barbara. On the afternoon of September 24, two CHP officers took it upon themselves to attempt to intimidate and silence members of the public, members of Indivisible Santa Barbara. The CHP demanded signs be taken down and reported Indivisible members to the FBI. Their crime? Holding up signs on the Micheltorena overpass that said “8647.”
CHP Officer Ayala ordered the signs be taken down and said, “You can’t wish death upon the president.” Indivisible Santa Barbara has consistently maintained a nonviolent and peaceful ethos in every action we have taken.
It is settled law that “8647” is protected speech. The controlling case on this issue, Accountability NOW USA v. Griess (United States District Court, filed June 1, 2026), states that the message “8647” is protected free speech under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution…