First Amendment Archives - Alaska Watchman

Alaska lawmaker sees ominous precedent in trial that failed to banish him from public office

FeaturedJanuary 5, 2023

While Rep. David Eastman (R-Wasilla) ultimately prevailed in a politically-charged lawsuit that attempted to banish him from the Alaska Legislature, he is deeply concerned that far-left political activists have now set a dangerous precedent in weaponizing

Anchorage Assembly’s war on free speech is a threat to us all

FeaturedDecember 30, 2022

Free speech advocates across the political spectrum should be concerned about the Anchorage Assembly’s effort to empower its newly formed Equity Committee to combat unwanted speech by members of the public. As recently reported in the Watchman, the Equity

Equity Committee plans to undermine unwanted speech at Anchorage Assembly meetings

CultureDecember 29, 2022

Powerful and well-connected left-leaning activists, who comprise the newly formed Anchorage Equity Committee, are formalizing a strategy to root out what they deem to be unwanted “hate” speech, so-called “systemic racism” and other social or

Yes, Alaska’s churches can directly weigh in on politics – here’s how

CultureNovember 4, 2022

What can Alaska’s pastors legally say from the pulpit regarding political candidates or the constitutional convention ballot question? How far can clergy go in educating their congregation on key political and social issues? When do religious leaders

We can – and must – stand up to lies

AbortionJuly 15, 2022

We live in a world of lies, falsehoods and deliberate deception. — Men can become women by willing it so. — Unborn babies with their own hearts, fingerprints and DNA are not “fully developed,” and can be justly dismembered in the womb. —

Supreme Court affirms high school coach’s right to pray on field

EducationJune 27, 2022

In a 6-3 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed that high school football coach Joseph Kennedy has a constitutional right to privately pray on the football field without being fired by the school district. Kennedy’s employment at Bremerton School District

Federal lawsuit aims to protect Alaska donors’ 1st Amendment right to free association

FeaturedJune 23, 2022

Alaska voters are now in the midst of a new ranked voting system, established by the narrow victory of Ballot Measure 2 in 2020. Besides ranked voting, that initiative also created new requirements for reporting campaign contributions targeting what the

U.S. Supreme Court ruling will protect Alaska churches from unconstitutional mandates

FaithDecember 7, 2020

A U.S. Supreme Court decision issued Nov. 25, heralds the dawn of a new era – the return of the rule of law. Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn vs. Andrew Cuomo, Governor of New York is a case that involves what is often described as the first liberty

Ketchikan Assembly dismisses religious freedom concerns, overrides mayor’s veto

FreedomSeptember 10, 2020

The Ketchikan Borough Assembly voted to override Mayor Rodney Dial’s veto of a resolution it passed on Aug. 17 which asks the Alaska Legislature to pass a law prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity or expression throughout

Alaska Attorney General pushes for graphic warnings on cigarette packs

CultureJuly 18, 2020

Alaska Attorney General Kevin Clarkson joined a coalition of 25 attorneys general from across the country in a brief supporting federal regulations mandating graphic color warnings on cigarette packages and advertisements. The brief was filed in R.J.

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