Social Media Blocking By Mayor Q Threatens Freedom Of Speech?!?!

Kansas City's Mayor has more than his fair share of critics online and so far he has tuned many of them out by way of blocking. Now, a recent decision calls that practice into question. 

With help from VERY DEDICATED denizens of the discourse, here's our main takeaway . . .

A RECENT MISSOURI PRECEDENT CLAIMS THAT SOCIAL MEDIA BLOCKING BY ELECTED OFFICIALS MIGHT VIOLATE FREEDOM OF SPEECH!!!

The argument is important because there are many parallels to Mayor Q's defense of blocks against criticism.  

For instance . . . 

The Missouri politico claimed his Twitter was only for personal use . . . But that contention was myth-busted by a judge . . .

Check the basics and a highlight of the case as we invite TKC Internets lawyers to weigh in . . . BUT direct their billable hours to 12th & Oak . . .

"The court determined Reed “maintained the Account as an elected official, used government resources – including City employees and web resources – to operate the Account, and administered the Account as a tool of governance to further his duties as Aldermanic President. As a result, Reed acted under color of state law and his actions are ‘fairly attributable’ to the City.” And since the account was determined to be a “tool of governance,” Reed could no longer block people for dissenting opinions or remarks he didn’t like.

"The U.S. District Court’s ruling follows a federal Court of Appeals’ opinion upholding a judgment against former President Donald Trump from blocking critics on his old Twitter account."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Lewis Reed violated constituent's freedom of speech by blocking them on Twitter, judge rules

ST. LOUIS - Former St. Louis Board of Aldermen President Lewis Reed violated a constituent's rights when he blocked her on Twitter over critical remarks, a federal judge ruled Monday. Political activist and St. Louisan Sarah Felts said Reed blocked her on Jan.