Multnomah County Public Library v. USA

FREEDOM OF SPEECH. (2001-2003)

Federal lawsuit filed by the National ACLU, in which a Rhode Island-based web site is a named plaintiff, challenging the constitutionality of a federal law requiring libraries receiving federal funds to install “technology protection measures” on all their Internet access terminals in order to block access to sites that are “harmful to minors.” The Court struck down the statue in 2002. In 2003, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the law’s constitutionality, while narrowing its scope. ACLU Attorneys: Ann Beeson, Christopher Hansen

News Releases:

March 4, 2003 -- U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Arguments in Internet Censorship Case With Rhode Island Plaintiff

September 8, 2003 -- R.I. ACLU Releases Report on Internet Censorship in Libraries