Is 'Flipping the Bird' Free Speech? Portland Area Man Thinks So
Robert Ekas isn’t a big fan of law enforcement right now. In part, he is upset over police shootings that have killed unarmed citizens. So he has let the Clackamas County Sheriff’s department know by flipping them off….more than once.
No Ekas has filed a law suite because he says that unlawful traffic stops have happened because he exercised what he considers free speech.
Steven Mayes of The Oregonian first reported the story:
Ekas, who represents himself, sued the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office and three of its employees, seeking corrective action and unspecified damages. Assistant County Counsel Edward S. McGlone III declined comment on the lawsuit.
Ekas, 46, a retired Silicon Valley systems analyst turned mathematician who lives in the Clackamas area, claims the traffic stops were acts of retaliation that violated his First and Fourth Amendment rights. He also wants the court to rule that the Sheriff’s Office fails to discipline employees who “chill citizens’ … free speech rights.”
Read the full story from the Oregonian by clicking here.
2 Comments
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
- New York Jets coach Rex Ryan rehashes finger mistake and pokes fun at gut | Foilball.com - [...] ThePortlander | Featured | Is ‘Flipping the Bird’ Free Speech? Portland Area Man Thinks ... [...]
I think it is stupid for him to do this, but I believe it is covered under free speech.
I have encountered wonderful police officers and I have dealt with bad. How does he know which he is flipping off.
Besides, sure hope he doesn't need help from the Clackamas County Sheriff any time soon….they may just 'be a little late'!