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"[Those] who won our independence believed ... the path of safety lies in the opportunity to discuss freely supposed grievances and proposed remedies." — Justice Brandeis
 
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Events

UN Resolution 16/18 & the Defamation of Religions Concept: Implications for Freedom of Speech

Date/Time: March 14, 2013 from 4:30 to 5:30

Location:

Jenkins Law Library (Conference Room);

833 Chestnut Street, Suite 1220

Philadelphia, PA 19107

Registration: Seating is limited. Please register in advance by emailing Ann Snyder([email protected] ).

Additional Information for Attorneys: The Legal Project at the Middle East Forum is an accredited CLE provider and the above course has been approved for one (1) substantive CLE credit.

Admission Fee and Waiver: $20. Attorneys unable to afford the entry fee may request a waiver by emailing [email protected] at least three days prior to the actual course presentation. The request must include the attorney's place of employment (if working); yearly salary (if applicable); and a phone number at which the attorney may be contacted. A decision will be made at least one day prior to the event.

Course Description: This one hour course will discuss efforts at the international level to impose limitations on freedom of speech through the use of concepts like "defamation of religion." It will explore recent developments including the adoption of UN Resolution 16/18, the language shift from a "defamation of religions" approach to a "hate speech" construction, and the United States' participation in the "Istanbul Process." It will contrast these efforts to restrict speech with current U.S. legal approaches to defamation, offensive speech, and speech that incites or provokes audience reaction. The course will also explore the implications these efforts for freedom of speech, not only abroad, by also in the United States and the strength of the protections afforded by the First Amendment.

SUING THE MESSENGER: The Misuse of Law to Suppress Free Speech Regarding Terrorism, Radical Islam and Related Topics.

Dates/Times: Thursday, May 10, 2012 (5:30-7:00)

Thursday, May 17, 2012 (12:00-1:30)

Place: Philadelphia, specific location to be announced.

Registration: Please register in advance by emailing Ann Snyder ([email protected]). Seating is very limited.

Additional Information for Attorneys: Approval for 1.5 substantive CLE credits (Pennsylvania) is pending.

Admission Fee and Waiver: $20. Attorneys unable to afford the entry fee may request a waiver by emailing [email protected] at least three days prior to the actual course presentation. The request must include the attorney's place of employment (if working); yearly salary (if applicable); and a phone number at which the attorney may be contacted. A decision will be made at least one day prior to the event.

Course description - This 1.5 hour course examines the misuse of law to suppress the free speech rights of authors and researchers commenting on terrorism, radical Islam and related issues.

Public discourse on these issues has long been hampered by physical intimidation such as the gruesome murder of Theo van Gogh and the Mohammed Cartoons riots. But over the last decade, a more subtle challenge has emerged in the form of predatory lawsuits. These suits seek less to win than to wear down researchers and analysts who, even when they prevail, pay heavily in time and money.

Relying largely on legal case studies, the course will establish the threat, document its manifestations across the globe and discuss ways to meet it. While the primary focus will be on manipulation of US libel law to stifle debate, attention will also be brought upon efforts to conscript Canadian, European and even International law in the service of suppression.

Part I will define the problem and illustrate the emergence of predatory suits as a strategy. Part II will offer an overview of US libel law and then describe how it is being misused to stifle fair discussion of terror financing and related issues. Part III focuses on Britain's plaintiff friendly libel laws and the various ways they have been used to chill both UK and US authors. Part IV examines the emergence of Canadian administrative tribunals as instruments of censorship. Part V analyzes challenges to free speech posed by Europe's hate speech laws. Part VI examines the cynical manipulation of international human rights laws to suppress open dialogue through such mechanisms as UN resolutions prohibiting blasphemy. The final two sections survey the overall success of campaigns to inhibit debate on radical Islam and the response of governments, entities and individuals dedicated to defending free speech rights.

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SUING THE MESSENGER: The Misuse of Law to Suppress Free Speech Regarding Terrorism, Radical Islam and Related Topics.

Date/Time: Friday, April 6, 2012; 1-2:30 pm

Place: Drexel University; 3320 Market Street, Room 140; Philadelphia, PA

Registration: Please register in advance by emailing Ann Snyder ([email protected]).

Additional Information for Attorneys: The course has been approved for one and a half (1.5) substantive CLE credits from Pennsylvania.

Admission Fee and Waiver: $20. Attorneys unable to afford the entry fee may request a waiver by emailing [email protected] at least three days prior to the actual course presentation. The request must include the attorney's place of employment (if working); yearly salary (if applicable); and a phone number at which the attorney may be contacted. A decision will be made at least one day prior to the event.

Course description - This 1.5 hour course examines the misuse of law to suppress the free speech rights of authors and researchers commenting on terrorism, radical Islam and related issues.

Public discourse on these issues has long been hampered by physical intimidation such as the gruesome murder of Theo van Gogh and the Mohammed Cartoons riots. But over the last decade, a more subtle challenge has emerged in the form of predatory lawsuits. These suits seek less to win than to wear down researchers and analysts who, even when they prevail, pay heavily in time and money.

Relying largely on legal case studies, the course will establish the threat, document its manifestations across the globe and discuss ways to meet it. While the primary focus will be on manipulation of US libel law to stifle debate, attention will also be brought upon efforts to conscript Canadian, European and even International law in the service of suppression.

Part I will define the problem and illustrate the emergence of predatory suits as a strategy. Part II will offer an overview of US libel law and then describe how it is being misused to stifle fair discussion of terror financing and related issues. Part III focuses on Britain's plaintiff friendly libel laws and the various ways they have been used to chill both UK and US authors. Part IV examines the emergence of Canadian administrative tribunals as instruments of censorship. Part V analyzes challenges to free speech posed by Europe's hate speech laws. Part VI examines the cynical manipulation of international human rights laws to suppress open dialogue through such mechanisms as UN resolutions prohibiting blasphemy. The final two sections survey the overall success of campaigns to inhibit debate on radical Islam and the response of governments, entities and individuals dedicated to defending free speech rights.

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SUING THE MESSENGER: The Misuse of Law to Suppress Free Speech Regarding Terrorism, Radical Islam and Related Topics.

Date/Time: Thursday, February 24, 2011; 2-3:30 pm

Place: Philadelphia, PA

Reed Smith LLP
2500 One Liberty Place
1650 Market Street

Registration: Please register in advance by emailing Adam Turner ([email protected]). Seating is very limited and will be on a first-come basis.

Additional Information for Attorneys: This CLE has been approved for one point five (1.5) substantive CLE credits from Pennsylvania. New York's Approved Jurisdiction policy would also apply.

Admission Fee and Waiver: $20. Attorneys unable to afford the entry fee may request a waiver by emailing ([email protected]) at least three days prior to the actual course presentation. The request must include the attorney's place of employment (if working); yearly salary (if applicable); and a phone number at which the attorney may be contacted. A decision will be made at least 1 day prior to the event.

Course description - This 1.5 hour course examines the misuse of law to suppress the free speech rights of authors and researchers commenting on terrorism, radical Islam and related issues.

Public discourse on these issues has long been hampered by physical intimidation such as the gruesome murder of Theo van Gogh and the Mohammad Cartoons riots. But over the last decade, a more subtle challenge has emerged in the form of predatory lawsuits. These suits seek less to win than to wear down researchers and analysts who, even when they prevail, pay heavily in time and money.

Relying largely on legal case studies, the course will establish the threat, document its manifestations across the globe and discuss ways to meet it. While the primary focus will be on manipulation of US libel law to stifle debate, attention will also be brought upon efforts to conscript Canadian, European and even International law in the service of suppression.

Part I will define the problem and illustrate the emergence of predatory suits as a strategy. Part II will offer an overview of US libel law and then describe how it is being misused to stifle fair discussion of terror financing and related issues. Part III focuses on Britain's plaintiff friendly libel laws and the various ways they have been used to chill both UK and US authors. Part IV examines the emergence of Canadian administrative tribunals as instruments of censorship. Part V analyzes challenges to free speech posed by Europe's hate speech laws. Part VI examines the cynical manipulation of international human rights laws to suppress open dialogue through such mechanisms as UN resolutions prohibiting blasphemy. The final two sections survey the overall success of campaigns to inhibit debate on radical Islam and the response of governments, entities and individuals dedicated to defending free speech rights.

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THE RISE OF LAWFARE, THE POLITICIZATION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AND CHALLENGES TO U.S. SOVEREIGNTY

Date/Time: Sunday, January 16, 2011; 10:30 am - 1:30 pm (PDT); 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm (EDT)

Streamed live on the Internet and then archived. Log in from anywhere in the world and listen at any time at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/WesternWordRadio

FEATURING: A panel of experts drawn from around the world:

Harry Reicher (University of Pennsylvania Law School), Tung Yin (Lewis & Clark Law School),
Amos Guiora (Utah University School of Law), Anne Bayefsky (Eye on the U.N.),
Anne Herzberg
(NGO Monitor), Nitsana Darshan Leitner (Shurat Ha Din, Israel Law Center), Jeremy Rabkin (George Mason School of Law), Daniel Huff (The Legal Project/ Middle East Forum), Donald Kochan (Chapman University Law School), John Eastman (Chapman University). Laurie Blank (Emory university), Eugene Kontorovich (Northwestern University School of Law)

Moderated by Avi Davis

Lawfare represents one of the key means used by groups and individuals hostile to the United States to undermine U.S.sovereignty and weaken its national security. This conference is designed to address the threats that lawfare represents to western democracies and offer ways in which those threats can be addressed.

Presented by the American Freedom Alliance in cooperation with:

· The Legal Project of the Middle East Forum

· Eye on the U.N.

· NGO Monitor

· Shurat HaDin ( Israel Law Center)

Contact AFA for further information at (310) 444 3085; (310) 444 3085; (310) 444 3085; (310) 444 3085 or access AFA website www.americanfreedomalliance.org

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SUING THE MESSENGER: The Misuse of Law to Suppress Free Speech Regarding Terrorism, Radical Islam and Related Topics.

Date/Time: Monday, November 22, 2010; 2-3:30 pm

Place: Philadelphia, PA

Jenkins Law Library

833 Chestnut St # 1220
Philadelphia, PA 19107-4429

Registration: Please register in advance by emailing Adam Turner ([email protected]). Seating is very limited and will be on a first-come basis.

Additional Information for Attorneys: LP has approval for one point five (1.5) substantive CLE credit from Pennsylvania. New York's Approved Jurisdiction policy would also apply.

Admission Fee and Waiver: $20. Attorneys unable to afford the entry fee may request a waiver by emailing ([email protected]) at least three days prior to the actual course presentation. The request must include the attorney's place of employment (if working); yearly salary (if applicable); and a phone number at which the attorney may be contacted. A decision will be made at least 1 day prior to the event.

Course description - This 1.5 hour course examines the misuse of law to suppress the free speech rights of authors and researchers commenting on terrorism, radical Islam and related issues.

Public discourse on these issues has long been hampered by physical intimidation such as the gruesome murder of Theo van Gogh and the Mohammad Cartoons riots. But over the last decade, a more subtle challenge has emerged in the form of predatory lawsuits. These suits seek less to win than to wear down researchers and analysts who, even when they prevail, pay heavily in time and money.

Relying largely on legal case studies, the course will establish the threat, document its manifestations across the globe and discuss ways to meet it. While the primary focus will be on manipulation of US libel law to stifle debate, attention will also be brought upon efforts to conscript Canadian, European and even International law in the service of suppression.

Part I will define the problem and illustrate the emergence of predatory suits as a strategy. Part II will offer an overview of US libel law and then describe how it is being misused to stifle fair discussion of terror financing and related issues. Part III focuses on Britain's plaintiff friendly libel laws and the various ways they have been used to chill both UK and US authors. Part IV examines the emergence of Canadian administrative tribunals as instruments of censorship. Part V analyzes challenges to free speech posed by Europe's hate speech laws. Part VI examines the cynical manipulation of international human rights laws to suppress open dialogue through such mechanisms as UN resolutions prohibiting blasphemy. The final two sections survey the overall success of campaigns to inhibit debate on radical Islam and the response of governments, entities and individuals dedicated to defending free speech rights.

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SHARIA vs. THE CONSTITUTION

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

2:30-3:30 PM

Congressional Meeting Room North

The Capitol Visitor Center

Washington, DC

FEATURING:

Introductory Remarks – Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-5)

Moderator - Frank Gaffney, President, Center for Security Policy, Former Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy (Acting)

Importing Foreign Standards: The Role of Article VI - David Yerushami, General Counsel, Center for Security Policy

Matters Criminal and Civil: Sharia vs. The 4th & 7th Amendments - Andrew Cochran, Editor, The 7th Amendment Advocate, Founder, The Counterterrorism Blog

Clear & Present Danger: The Threat to 1st Amendment Rights – Daniel Huff, Director, The Legal Project at the Middle East Forum, Former Counsel, Senate Judiciary Committee

The Center for Security Policy, The 7th Amendment Advocate and The Legal Project Present a Panel Discussion:

Geert Wilders Lauds Legal Project

"Last June, I was acquitted of all charges by an Amsterdam court. The Middle East Forum's Legal Project ... was always there to help, advise and assist ... The importance of the MEF's Legal Project in reclaiming free expression and political discourse ... cannot be overestimated."

Geert Wilders, September 29, 2011

Read the full text of Wilders' statement

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