Judge Mark E. Walker of the Federal District Court in Tallahassee ruled that threats by Florida's Department of Health amounted to unconstitutional coercion and viewpoint discrimination, emphasizing that such coercion cannot be justified by the state calling certain speech false.
In an emergency hearing, the judge highlighted how the government's indirect censorship of political speech breaches the First Amendment, stating, 'To keep it simple for the state of Florida: it's the First Amendment, stupid.'
Lauren Brenzel, director of the Yes on 4 campaign, hailed the court's ruling as a victory for democracy and free speech, asserting that the government cannot silence the truth about Florida's extreme abortion ban.
The ruling came after the health department threatened television stations over an ad supporting abortion rights, which featured a personal testimony from Caroline Williams, stating that Florida's laws had grave implications for her health situation.
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