Rally For Freedom Of Speech

Rachel Ehrenfeld writes me that there will be a rally,

This Sunday, January 13th at 10:30 a.m. on the steps of the New York Public Library, 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue, I urge you to attend a bi partisan news conference by New York State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Dean Skelos and Assemblyman Rory I. Lancman where they will announce legislation designed to protect journalists, author and publishers s from lawsuits filed outside the U.S. by foreign nationals seeking to muzzle the First Amendment rights of American citizens, particular those reporting on terrorism and its financiers….

The two lawmakers, Ehrenfeld, and members of the bar, will warn that without this legislation, the contents of the New York Public Library could be subject to assault by off shore nationals seeking to silence public debate in America. Your participation would add enormously to this effort and underscore the gravity of the threat.

I recently wrote about the threat here, here, and here.

Today’s New York Sun adds:

The legislation will be of more use to individual writers and reporters without assets abroad than it will be to major press and broadcast outlets.

"Individual authors probably don't have the resources to litigate around the world," a lawyer at Covington & Burling, Jason Criss, who wrote a court brief in the Ehrenfeld case, said. He added that larger press outlets likely have property abroad that could be seized to satisfy a libel judgment.

Ms. Ehrenfeld, in her characteristic determination, says the legislation stands a good chance of passing.

Let’s make more sure of that, if you’re in the NYC area, by turning out on Sunday, and by writing NYS legislators in support.