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The Biden Administration is Subject to Supreme Court Rulings in its Social Media Dispute with Reactionary States.

Published

4 months ago

2024-06-26

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

(VOR News) – In a disagreement with Republican-led states on Wednesday, the Supreme Court agreed with the Biden administration on the scope of federal authority to block contentious social media posts about COVID-19 and election security.

The justices 6-3 rejected lower-court rulings that favored Louisiana, Missouri, and other parties, notwithstanding their claims that Democratic administration officials unconstitutionally restricted conservative ideas through the use of social media.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett of the Supreme Court came to the conclusion that states and other bodies did not have the authority to bring legal action. Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, and Clarence Thomas all disagreed.

It should not impact typical users or postings on social media.

The Supreme Court is now considering a number of issues this term that deal with social media companies’ freedom of speech. In February, the court discussed Republican-passed legislation prohibiting big social media sites from deleting political information.

Social media usage was restricted by the Supreme Court in March.

In accordance with the Wednesday ruling and the court proceedings regarding state legislation, conservative views are prohibited from being freely expressed on platforms.

The states asserted that “unrelenting pressure” was applied to erase social media postings by the FBI, the cybersecurity agency, the surgeon general, and the White House communications team.

The comments made during the March arguments unnerved the judges, and a few of them warned that a state win may change the platform contacts of public servants.

The Biden administration made it clear that it would not be allowed to interact with social media companies on matters pertaining to election integrity, public health, national security, or posts that are antisemitic or anti-Muslim.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the Supreme Court ruling made sense because it allows the Biden Administration to keep working with tech companies to protect Americans after years of irrational and extreme attacks on public servants by the Republican Party.

Attorney General Liz Murrill of Louisiana called the decision “disappointing and unfortunate.” The committee, according to Murrill, “allows the federal government to threaten tech platforms into censorship and suppression of First Amendment-protected speech.” The majority overturned “the worst government coercion ever”.

The justices rejected the administration’s and the states’ arguments in their judgment on Wednesday.

“We commence and conclude with standing,” Barrett wrote. “Neither the state plaintiffs nor the individual plaintiffs are permitted to pursue an injunction against any defendant.” Consequently, our lack of authority prevents us from resolving the matter.

Alito disagreed, claiming that the states proved they could litigate the case. “For months, Facebook was subjected to pressure from senior government officials to censor Americans.” In his letter to the three minority justices, he stated, “I respectfully dissent because the Supreme Court unjustifiably refuses to address this serious threat to the First Amendment.”

While some proponents of free expression applauded the ruling, others questioned the court’s guidelines.

Knight First Amendment Institute litigation director Alex Abdo said the Supreme Court must distinguish between legal and unlawful attempts to influence and coerce platforms. The availability of this advice would have been especially helpful in the months leading up to the election.”

A DHS disinformation committee was to be headed by Nina Jankowicz in 2022, the target of the complaint. In a matter of weeks, the commission disbanded over concerns about free speech and conspiracy theories.

Jankowicz, an expert in disinformation, claims that the Supreme Court acted as expected. She also noted how hard it is to undo litigation damage.

She said, “Unfortunately, there is a vast segment of the American populace that now believes the government is censoring a portion of the population in collaboration with independent researchers.”

In the near future, it seems unlikely that there will be one.

Social media corporations have removed hate and misinformation filters in tandem with the Supreme Court’s ruling.

Certain accounts that were banned due to conspiracy theories and extremism have been reinstated by Elon Musk’s X. Users are now in charge of keeping an eye out for misinformation after the platform eliminated misinformation squads.

Experts predict that political pressure to cut such teams could make election-related social media fraud worse in 2024 than it was in 2020.

Facebook and Instagram’s parent company, Meta, has retired from the news and political sectors following years of allegations that it mishandles material and incites political violence.

An appeals court in New Orleans was asked to rule on whether the government had illegally coerced media websites. According to the Supreme Court of Appeals, officials cannot be convicted of coercing or substantially encouraging alterations to online materials.

This term, the Fifth Circuit has rejected conservative rulings six times. On Monday, the court overturned a 5th Circuit panel’s decision and upheld the ban on weapons for domestic abuse victims.

In June, the court ruled unanimously that doctors who oppose abortion had no legal standing to contest the FDA’s approval of mifepristone.

News

Trudeau Accused of Sowing Divisions Between Sikhs and Hindus

Published

3 days ago

2024-11-06

Geoff Thomas

Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative Leader, has accused Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of sowing “divisions” that culminated in the violent altercation between Sikh separatists and Hindu devotees outside a Hindu temple in Brampton, Ontario.

Justin Trudeau initiated the question period by condemning Poilievre’s reticence regarding the violence in South Asian communities as “deafening.”

Poilievre refuted the assertion by accusing Trudeau of exploiting the matter to divert attention from domestic economic concerns.

“Consequently, he implements divisions in his residence.” Poilievre stated, “These divisions are the consequence of his actions.”

“Currently, sectarian riots are occurring on the streets of Brampton.” This has never occurred before the tenure of this prime minister. Is he accountable for the divisions he has incited and the ensuing violence?

Trudeau Must Assume Responsibility

Mr. Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative Leader, requested that the Prime Minister assume responsibility for the divisions and violence in Canada. In response, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed Poilievre’s refusal to obtain security clearance to review foreign interference documents.

Trudeau, who has frequently employed a phrase in the question period recently, urged Poilievre to undergo the security clearance procedure to receive a briefing from Canada’s intelligence and security agencies regarding potential threats to the country.

Trudeau’s remarks exacerbate an already precarious police situation, which has the potential to further deteriorate the diplomatic relationship between Canada and India.

Police dispersed a second day of demonstrations outside a Hindu temple in Brampton, Ontario, on Monday. The temple has been the site of violent clashes that have resulted in arrests and a public safety alert.

During the Indian consular officials’ visit to the Hindu Sabha Mandir temple in Brampton on Sunday at midday, violence erupted.

Peel Regional Police issued a public safety alert on Monday evening regarding the presence of weapons at a demonstration near a Hindu temple in Brampton, Ont. The demonstration had been the site of violent clashes between demonstrators the previous day.

Canada India Tensions

Social media videos depict demonstrators holding banners in support of Pro-Khalistan separatism, a proposed independent Sikh homeland in northern India, and engaging in physical altercations with other individuals, some of whom are holding India’s national flag.

Later, an off-duty Sergeant of the Peel police in Brampton, Ontario, was identified as one of the pro-Khalistan protesters.

In the interim, the violence prompted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make a rare comment during a period of escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

“I unequivocally condemn the intentional destruction of a Hindu temple in Canada.” “The cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats are equally appalling,” he shared on social media.

No amount of violence will ever undermine India’s resolve. We anticipate that the Canadian government will maintain the rule of law and ensure justice.

Last September, Trudeau expressed that there were credible allegations that the Indian government was involved in the assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, which marked the beginning of the deterioration of relations between the two countries. India has vigorously denied the charge.

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News

Police Officer Suspended for Joining Pro-Khalistan Protest

Published

3 days ago

2024-11-06

Geoff Thomas

A Brampton, Ontario, police officer was suspended on Monday following the viralization of a video on social media that showed him participating in a pro-Khalistan protest outside a Hindu temple.

According to CBC News, the suspended Peel Regional Police officer, Harinder Sohi, was videotaped brandishing a Khalistan flag while other participants in the protest chanted anti-India slogans. He was not wearing a police uniform.

Sohi served as a Sergeant for the Peel Regional Police.

In an email to CBC News, Media Relations Officer Richard Chin informed the organization that it is “aware of a video circulating on social media that depicts an off-duty Peel Police officer participating in a demonstration.”

“This officer has since been suspended in accordance with the Community Safety and Policing Act,” according to him.

“We are investigating the circumstances in totality depicted in the video and are unable to provide further information until this investigation is complete.”

Peel Regional Police have previously stated that three individuals have been charged in connection with the violence that occurred during the visit of Indian consular officials to the Hindu Sabha Mandir temple on Sunday.

Social media videos appear to depict demonstrators holding banners in support of Khalistan, a proposed independent Sikh homeland in northern India, and engaging in a physical altercation with other individuals, some of whom are holding India’s national flag.

The videos appear to depict fist battles and individuals striking each other with poles on the grounds outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir temple.

According to Peel police, the event was ultimately relocated to two additional locations in the neighboring city of Mississauga, where additional demonstrations were also conducted.

Peel police acknowledged the protest on Sunday at noon and announced that they had increased their presence at the Hindu Sabha Mandir temple to preserve public safety and order.

“We acknowledge the right to peacefully and safely protest; however, we will not tolerate criminal activities or violence,” stated Chief Nishan Duraiappah in response to the videos’ dissemination.

“Those that do participate in this activity will be pursued, arrested, and charged.”

The violence elicited condemnations from Canadian political leaders at all levels of government and also prompted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make a rare comment during a period of escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his concern regarding the “deliberate attack” and requested accountability from the Canadian government, which Justin Trudeau heads. He anticipated that the government would uphold the rule of law and ensure justice.

PM Modi expressed his strong condemnation of the deliberately targeted assault on a Hindu temple in Canada in a post on X. The contemptible endeavors to intimidate our diplomats are equally repulsive. No amount of violence will ever be able to undermine India’s resolve.

In the interim, the Minister of External Affairs (MEA) expressed its “profound concern” regarding the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada, and it anticipates that those who engage in violence will be prosecuted.

The Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Ontario, was the site of violent acts committed by separatists and extremists yesterday. We condemn these actions. “We urge the Canadian government to guarantee that all places of worship are safeguarded from such attacks,” stated Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson for the MEA.

India Slams Trudeau Over Pro-Khalistani Sikhs Attack

India Slams Trudeau Over Pro-Khalistani Sikhs Attacking Canadian Hindus

Geoff Thomas

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News

Pro-Khalistanis Sikhs Attack Hindu Temple in Brampton

Published

5 days ago

2024-11-04

Geoff Thomas

Pro-Khalistanis Sikhs, Hindu Temple, Brampton, Ontario

Pro-Khalistanis Sikhs attack Hindu Temple in Bramption Ontario.

Police in Brampton, Ontario, were summoned to the Hindu Temple after a group of pro-Khalistanis Sikhs attacked Hindu worshipers on Sunday. According to the Hindu Canadian Foundation, supporters of the Khalistaani movement in Canada helped to carry out the “attack.”

Following its posting on X, a video of the attack with demonstrators brandishing Khalistan flags at the Hindu Temple’s front entrance quickly became viral, inciting indignation among the Hindu community in Canada and India.

Chandra Arya, a Liberal MP from Canada, denounced the violence and claimed that under the country’s “freedom of expression,” extremists are getting away with it.

According to Arya, he began to think there might be some truth to the claims that Khalistanis have successfully infiltrated Canada’s law enforcement forces and political machinery.

Today, Canadian Khalistani fanatics have crossed a line. The attack by Khalistanis on Hindu-Canadian worshipers within the Hindu Sabha temple’s grounds demonstrates the extent and blatantness of Khalistani violent extremism in Canada.

In a post on X, he stated, “I start to believe that there is a sliver of truth in the reports that Khalistanis have successfully infiltrated not only our political apparatus but also our law enforcement agencies.”

It is understandable why Khalistani fanatics are receiving a free pass in Canada under the guise of “freedom of expression.” As I’ve been saying for a while, Hindu Canadians must stand up, defend their rights, and hold politicians responsible for the safety and security of our community,” he continued.

Peel Regional Police said they were aware of the demonstration in the city’s northeast and are investigating the situation.

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms states, “We respect the individual right to protest, but it is still our duty and responsibility to maintain public order and ensure everyone’s safety. ” Therefore, we request the public’s help participating in and supporting a nonviolent and legal protest.

Peel police warned that any acts of violence, threats of violence, or vandalism would be looked into and said they would be more visible and present to keep an eye on the situation.

Taking his X account, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown also conveyed his dissatisfaction after learning of the “acts of violence” outside the Hindu Sabha.

“In Canada, religious freedom is a fundamental virtue. In their house of worship, everyone ought to feel secure. Brown stated in his letter that he is “completely confident that Peel police will do everything in their authority to keep the peace and hold those accountable who commit acts of violence.” “I strongly condemn any acts of violence outside of a place of worship,” Brown added.

“The violence at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton was unacceptable,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also posted on X.

Every Canadian has the right to freely and securely follow their religion. “Swiftly responding to protect the community and investigate this incident” was how he praised the cops.

As Ottawa frequently rejected New Delhi’s demands for tough measures against Khalistani radicals in Canada, the incident took place during a time of poor relations between India and Canada. Instead, it sparked a huge diplomatic dispute by accusing India of targeting Khalistani people inside its borders.