WE WON! AFDI TRIUMPHS IN FREE SPEECH LAWSUIT AGAINST SEATTLE, Government-Sanctioned Sharia Suffers Stunning Blow

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We prevailed in our free speech lawsuit against the city of Seattle. Today the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled in our favor. Seattle had rejected AFDI’s public service ad because of a perceived disparagement to Islam. We sued against sharia in Seattle. King County unconstitutionally refused to display AFDI’s ads concerning global terrorism on the exterior of its public buses.

We sued. It took five years but today we prevailed. The Geller Ban has been lifted.  Please help us get these ads up. DONATE HERE.

Because neither of Metro’s reasons for rejecting Plaintiffs’  revised ad withstands First Amendment scrutiny ,we reverse the district court’s grant of summary judgment to the County and rem and with instructions to enter summary judgment for Plaintiffs on this claim. We stress that the First Amendment does not require Metro to tolerate harm to the transit system.

“Tolerate harm to the transit system” — everyone, it seems, it terrified of Muslim violence.

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Opinion–9-27-18

We are deeply grateful to our legal team, Robert Muise and David Yerushalmi of the American Freedom Law Center (AFLC).

This all started back in 2013, when the FBI was running a terrorism awareness campaign featuring bus ads depicting photos of sixteen of the world’s Most Wanted Terrorists.

This was a publicity campaign sponsored by the Joint Terrorism Task Force for the State Department’s Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program. The ad featured the world’s leading global terrorists. As it happened, all but one were Muslim. Islamic supremacists and their leftist lapdogs demanded the want ad come down, claiming it was insulting to Muslims. The FBI caved and pulled the Seattle-area bus ads featuring the “Faces of Global Terrorism” after receiving complaints “that the ads stereotype Muslims.”

My organization, the American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI), believed that this public awareness message was critical to national security and should run. We are constantly being clubbed with the claim that “moderate Muslims” abhor and reject the acts of terrorism that are constantly committed in the name of their religion, so why would they object to a wanted poster featuring Islamic terrorists who supposedly have twisted and hijacked their peaceful religion? Why would “moderate Muslims” provide cover for jihad terror? Why, indeed.

AFDI submitted a virtual copy of the FBI ad to run on Seattle transit. The cowards at Seattle King Metro refused to run the ad, claiming that it was disparaging to Muslims. Reality is disparaging to Muslims?

We sued Seattle King Metro. Predictably, the liberal fascists in Seattle sided with the supremacists. We appealed to the clowns on the notorious 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. And now they, as expected, ruled in favor of sharia and supremacism.

Of all the free speech legal battles I am embroiled in, this one is the most absurd. It illustrates the crippling submission and capitulation of government authorities to Islamic supremacist demands. And now it has gotten even more absurd: King County claimed last year that “AFDI…has directly forced six of the ten largest transit agencies in the United States to end all forms of political, public interest, and religious advertising. AFDI’s Pamela Geller calls this the ‘Geller Ban.’ Dkt. 57 (Declaration of Hackett, Ex. D (Geller Dep. at 44:19 – 45:1-4)). To date, not counting the transit systems chilled by AFDI’s ‘free speech’ campaign, the ‘Geller Ban’ has substantially limited the speech available to over 50 million Americans who live in the affected service areas.”

That’s right: they’re blaming us for the fascist, counter-free speech actions of the transit systems that changed their rules to ban all political ads rather than run our ads. This is like blaming a woman for being raped.

Our legal team at the American Freedom Law Center has responded:

The so-called “Geller Ban” referred to by the County is nothing more than a concerted effort by government officials to discriminate against Plaintiffs by seeking to close forums for Plaintiffs’ speech because the officials dislike the message. Plaintiffs refuse to surrender their freedoms to these government censors.

This is a key freedom of speech case, with enormous implications far beyond this one ad. We will never give up in our fight against this flagrant attempt to suppress our most fundamental freedom.

UPDATE from my legal team AFLC:

Today, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit unanimously ruled that King County’s rejection of a “Faces of Global Terrorism” ad submitted by Pamela Geller, Robert Spencer, and their organization, the American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI), violated the First Amendment.

In it ruling, the Ninth Circuit held that the County’s rejection of the ad based on its disparagement standard was viewpoint discrimination and that its rejection of the ad based on its disruption standard was unreasonable, all in violation of the First Amendment.

The lawsuit was filed by the American Freedom Law Center (AFLC) in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington at Seattle on behalf of Geller, Spencer, and AFDI.

The ad at issue was modeled after an advertisement submitted by the federal government and accepted for display by the County in 2013.  The State Department ad depicted the “Faces of Global Terrorism” in an effort to “stop a terrorist” and “save lives.”  The advertisement offered an “up to $25 million reward” for helping to capture one of the FBI’s most wanted terrorists.

The terrorists identified in the ad were also found on the FBI’s most wanted global terrorists list, which is posted on the FBI’s website.  At the time, this list included pictures and “wanted posters” for thirty-two terrorists.  Of the thirty-two listed terrorists, thirty were individuals with Muslim names or were wanted for terrorism related to organizations conducting terrorist acts in the name of Islam.

According to news reports, the federal government terminated its “Faces of Global Terrorism” ad campaign after receiving complaints from politicians and advocacy groups that took offense that the list of wanted global terrorists pictured in the ad appeared to include only Muslim terrorists.

Shortly after the government pulled the ad, Geller and Spencer, on behalf of AFDI, submitted an ad to the County that included the same pictures, names, and message as the government’s earlier display.  The County transit authority refused to run the ad in part because it claimed the ad was not wholly accurate about which government agency ran the rewards program and the amount of the awards, prompting AFLC to file this lawsuit.

After the courts agreed with the County, AFDI submitted a revised ad, this time making certain the ad was presented in such a way that removed the inaccuracy argument.  The County still refused to run the ad on the grounds that it was disparaging to Muslims and that it would be disruptive to the transit authority.

The trial court once again ruled in favor of the County.  AFLC appealed to the Ninth Circuit, and the Ninth Circuit reversed, concluding that “[b]ecause neither of the [County’s] reasons for rejecting Plaintiffs’ revised ad withstands First Amendment scrutiny, we reverse the district court’s grant of summary judgment to the County and remand with instructions to enter summary judgment for Plaintiffs on this claim.”

AFLC Co-Founder and Senior Counsel Robert Muise commented:

“This is an important victory for free speech.  Too often we are seeing government officials restricting speech based on claims that it is demeaning, disparaging, or offensive.  The First Amendment does not allow such censorship, as the Ninth Circuit’s opinion makes clear.  Under the First Amendment, the government is not permitted to impose special prohibitions on speakers who express views on disfavored subjects or on the basis of hostility towards the messenger or the underlying message expressed.”

David Yerushalmi, AFLC Co-Founder and Senior Counsel, added:

“It is clear from the record and the Ninth Circuit’s decision that King County, which initially accepted the federal government’s ad only to have the feds pull the ad for fear of offending Muslims, is suffering from the debilitating disease of political correctness.  And there is little doubt that County officials also dislike the messenger—our clients—who are doing a great service by alerting all Americans to the dangers of sharia and its followers.”

AFLC has represented Geller, Spencer, and AFDI successfully in federal lawsuits across the country, most notably in New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., where the courts have ordered the transit authorities to run AFDI’s anti-terrorism ads.  In each of those cases, the transit authorities were forced to pay substantial legal fees to AFLC.  In Chicago, the transit authority initially refused to run an AFDI “anti-jihad” ad, only to capitulate after stating in a letter that while transit authority officials considered the ad “morally reprehensible,” they were aware of AFLC’s successful litigation.

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Commieobamie
Commieobamie
5 years ago

Winning!

IzlamDownpressesHumanity
IzlamDownpressesHumanity
5 years ago

Congratulations on winning this battle Ms. Geller and AFDI.

Suresh
Suresh
5 years ago

Agree. Left/Liberals pro-jihadis and jihadis Heads will start exploding as these ads hit the streets !

And the first Muslim democrat president imported 200,000 yearly legal and illegal muslims and
deported christians back to ISIS to be slaughtered after they tried to make it to America http://tinyurl.com/mtc3xch

And those who dared to help were threatened to shut up and MSM would not cover it !

Poppey
Poppey
5 years ago

Many congratulations to all concerned, but what a fight to defend and reclaim what is yours by right.

Kalambong Kalambong
Kalambong Kalambong
5 years ago
Reply to  Poppey

Congratulations is not enough.

We must back Ms. Geller and her group, AFDI, with THE ONE THING THAT MATTERS MOSTMONEY — in order for AFDI to pay for the ads on the transit vehicles !!

Thomas Faddis
Thomas Faddis
5 years ago

FINALLY! Congratulations!

Jpp
Jpp
5 years ago

Congratulations and god save the first

inner_explorer
inner_explorer
5 years ago

This is great news. To prevail in King Co. & Seattle on this issue is huge. We all know that Islam and Muslims are such a peaceful lot, especially when it comes to co existing with Christians!

https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2018/09/27/muslim-mob-stones-three-christians-deat

IzlamDownpressesHumanity
IzlamDownpressesHumanity
5 years ago

As muslums and muslums collaborating traitors come to dominate our judiciary victories like these will become as rare as flying buraqs.

Halal Bacon
Halal Bacon
5 years ago

demonrats been paid off to put a muslim on the supreme court, at least that is what bandar bush leaked
comment image

felix1999
felix1999
5 years ago
Reply to  Halal Bacon

EW.
Homosexual tendencies are showing….
This was cozy on his ranch in Crawford Texas, just strolling around in the woods….

http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2009/01/19/va1237520082985/Diplomacy-…-US-President-George-W.-Bush-holds-hand-6446422.jpg

lostlegends
lostlegends
5 years ago

Well, good, but not what? Do they now run the ads? Do you collect some cash? How much? When? Next step?

aemoreira1981
aemoreira1981
5 years ago
Reply to  lostlegends

I suspect an appeal to SCOTUS since while lawsuits elsewhere were won, one was lost in Boston, and now there is a split with the First Circuit.

Macaroni Santarini
Macaroni Santarini
5 years ago

My initial reaction is to be overjoyed. But upon reflection I feel angry and sad. We shouldn’t have to fight in court to defend free speech against islamic sensibilities. Political correctness for islam has put our Constitutional liberties on the defensive. We shouldn’t have to defend our sacred precepts against a religious cult that glorifies violence and bigotry as a religious principle. We’re constantly told by the left that we must tolerate and respect islam because it’s a peaceful “religion.” But the genocidal reality is that, to this very day, islam has been a 1400 year story of persecution, terrorism, and war against non-muslims for that same religion. As an average moral person I am deeply troubled by the mass hysteria in support of islam. In the name of all that is holy and good, at least be decent enough to admit the facts about islam, it teaches violence, it causes violence, and its core principles are political and violently supremacist for bigoted reasons. The fact that we must fight in court for an obvious free speech right proves islam has already won, we’re simply trying to get back what they’ve taken from us. I don’t know how you all feel about it, but I don’t like seeing freedom and religious tolerance destroyed for a violent cult that considers a torturer-robber-murderer to be their “best example.” It’s frightening and morally reprehensible. Millions have bravely fought and died for our Constitution and liberty. It’s a disgrace that their sacrifice should be so dishonored for an ideology that is fundamentally opposed to everything they fought for. It’s traitorous, and it makes me ashamed to think I have fellow Americans who are so lacking in morals and honesty that they dare call it a religion of peace.

St. Hahn
St. Hahn
5 years ago

This legal precedent is very powerful and yet I understand your well made points. It is quite astonishing that the lower courts ruled against free speech. Who cares about Muslim jihadists? Apparently the lower courts think all Muslims are jihadists.

Macaroni Santarini
Macaroni Santarini
5 years ago
Reply to  St. Hahn

Apparently the lower courts think all Muslims are jihadists.

And of course not all muslims are jihadists, but it is my firm conviction that all faithful muslims are jihadist supporters. One cannot bow to the same god, give money and support for that religion, and then declare themselves without culpability in the crimes those jihadists do. I suspect the sensitivity comes from the fact that the line that separates those muslims who do the crimes from those who support them is painfully thin. They’re all standing in the same pigsty, it’s just that the terrorists are up to their necks while the “moderates” are only up to their knees. Every thing muslims bring to our lands, the enclaves, the mass rape, their terror and politics, are all consistent with the agenda of their more terroristic brethren. If I were a muslim I’d be sensitive too about this ad, because I’d be smart enough to know my own guilt.

bannedquran20
bannedquran20
5 years ago

There are only two types of muslims..jihadists and dormant jihadists. Nothing else in between.

Qur'an 18:86
Qur'an 18:86
5 years ago
Reply to  bannedquran20

Not quite. There are three types but all the same. Most Mus are simply clueless about Islam, they assume it is all nice and kumbaya. Many others are just pretending, by wearing the clothes etc to hide their apostasy. And then a minority actually have the beliefs of Islamic State. But even they aren’t REAL Muslims as explained at http://www.RealMuslim.uk
The first type sometimes decide to become more devout, and they then end up with either Sudden Jihad Syndrome or Ex-Mus. The former is far more noticeable than the latter.

bannedquran20
bannedquran20
5 years ago
Reply to  Qur'an 18:86

“Every moderate muslim is a potential terrorist. The belief in islam is like a tank of gasoline. It looks innocuous, until it meets the fire. For a moderate muslim to become a murderous jihadist, all it takes is a spark of faith. It is time to put an end to the charade of moderate islam. There is no such a thing as moderate muslim. muslims are either jihadists or dormant jihadists-moderate they are not.” FMU Former muslims United.

felix1999
felix1999
5 years ago
Reply to  bannedquran20

EVERY SINGLE ONE!
Geesh! comment image

felix1999
felix1999
5 years ago

It is built into their ideology to be a jihadist. Some go for it and some don’t.

Dan Knight
Dan Knight
5 years ago

good job, and I am impressed that the 9th circuit made the right decision …

oceanfloor1
oceanfloor1
5 years ago

Wonderful news! We need every victory for free speech we can get now, and this is a nice big one.

R. Arandas
R. Arandas
5 years ago

Freedom of speech must never be stifled — especially not in this country!

Qur'an 18:86
Qur'an 18:86
5 years ago
Reply to  R. Arandas

Yes it must be stifled, and everywhere. No way can we allow such filthy statements as “I support Hillary for President”.

felix1999
felix1999
5 years ago
Reply to  Qur'an 18:86

Where has that not been allowed?

Seaside
Seaside
5 years ago

I was born and raised in Seattle and still live here. I’m a senior citizen who has watched my once beautiful city be taken over by extreme far-left activist transplants from CA, SF, LA, OR over the past 30 to 40 years. Seattle is a sanctuary city run by demented democratsocialists whose PC policies have made Seattle’s streets dangerous for all of the hard-working-tax-paying citizens. Seattle is a sh**hole city just like LA, SF, Chicago, Detroit, Baltimore…All run by crooked, corrupt democratsocialists. Seattle will be a city that bows down to sharia law. Seattle’s democratsocialists have NO idea what islam is and what Islam’s intent is for the world…They are truly ignorant of knowing good from evil due to their extreme PC.

robert v g
robert v g
5 years ago

Why would Chi.Tran.Authority consider anti-jihad ads “morally reprehensible?” They have messed-up morals.

Anna Konda
Anna Konda
5 years ago

Good job, Pam! ????????????????

Alleged-Comment
Alleged-Comment
5 years ago

Yes, this is our country. WTF are we worried about TURD world people bent on OUR destruction that we might hurt their feeling even though they plan TERROR on you???

I guess all those people in the courts don’t take a bus so WTF do they care??

bannedquran20
bannedquran20
5 years ago

FINALLY!!!! With that said, it’s a religious duty (use the word religious but in my opinion, islam is not a religion) for a muslim to relentlessly strive for the establishment of shariah law where ever they are. allah (muhammad and allah are one and the same) considers man-made governments, for example democracies to be illegitimate. The only legitimate laws are that of their allah. islam, the enemy of mankind.

igor418
igor418
5 years ago

A long time coming. Congratulations to you, Ms. Geller, and to AFDI.

aemoreira1981
aemoreira1981
5 years ago
Reply to  igor418

Probably not over though, as there is now a circuit split between the Ninth Circuit and the First Circuit on this very issue (where the MBTA won). I suspect KC Metro appeals to the Supreme Court, which has to hear this case to resolve the split.

As for the issue, they don’t have to run the ad still, but KC Metro may still owe damages.

Mohammed_Goldberg
Mohammed_Goldberg
5 years ago

One small step for humanity, one small loss for Islamic slavery.

Tm.
Tm.
5 years ago

I don’t get it, the FBI puts up pictures of the ten most wanted.
Missing children puts up pictures in the hope someone will come across a missing child or teen.
So why cannot we have pictures of wanted terrorists who seek to harm the US or other countries?
It might help to provide information.
I think this was the right move.

felix1999
felix1999
5 years ago
Reply to  Tm.

That would be Islmaophobia.
Pointing out only MUSLIMS destroys the pious image Muslims want to present.
Muslims want to be a protected class.
It’s better to have images of straight white guys as serial killers on a bus than MUSLIMS!
You got caught again being rational Tm.

Michael Copeland
Michael Copeland
5 years ago

Excellent work by Robert Muise and David Yerushalmi.
Congratulations, AFDI.

CharlieSeattle
CharlieSeattle
5 years ago

Good News!

Hogdude24
Hogdude24
5 years ago

Freedom is not free. Action is key. Send your money. Let freedom ring.

Juxenissen
Juxenissen
5 years ago

comment image

Robert Swift
Robert Swift
5 years ago

Just wondering how many of the 7,000+ coming to our border are not only MS-13 terrorist’s, but also Islamic terrorist’s, mixed in! Time will tell!

felix1999
felix1999
5 years ago

WOW that is wonderful.
Muslims have to be pissed as hell.
As I learn more from ex Muslims, being critical of Islam is FORBIDDEN.
To QUESTION Islam is forbidden.
Now imagine how a Muslim must feel to have their ideology, questioned and criticized by an INFIDEL!

1PierreMontagne1
1PierreMontagne1
5 years ago

Free speech is a no brainier. Anyone deliberately blocking Free Speech should have to pay the legal fees of the plaintiffs.

Dan Roley
Dan Roley
5 years ago

Seattle has been a center for the unbelivable treacherous alliance of radical lgbtq++ leaders..thats LEADERS! married into islamist wealthy radical leaders.
First appearance in seattle was 1999 within the ‘occupy wall street’ protests and riots.
If gays feel secure in fighting any islamist antigay war in usa..they have been blindsided by their own leaders.
If there are 1000s of gays being murdered by islamists..guess how seattles boldest gays have been sold out. money…money buys belief. muslims in seattle..muslims all over rich areas of west coast..money.
Reap what you sow.
I was inside operations of bridgette gabriel ‘act’ seattle strategy in 2014…sorry Pamela..bridgette is more than dangerous to the real antijihad war. go see for yourselves.
not difficult.

bill svara
bill svara
5 years ago

Me being of Northern Norsk and Russian background and believing in the Viking religion of Asatru, I once told one of these R-head muslims who was questioning my religion as bad, that if he wanted to continue with his narrative that he would find out quickly how violent the Vikings were even us descendants react this way. He quickly left scared and surprised . Good riddance.

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