‘Clock Boy’ lawsuit dismissed — Victory for Freedom of Speech
Washington, D.C. — The Center for Security Policy commended today the judiciary of Texas for upholding that state’s commitment to freedom of speech by dismissing a frivolous lawsuit aimed at punishing the Center for Security Policy and its Executive Vice President, Jim Hanson for exercising that constitutional right.
The suit alleging defamation was brought last year by Mohammed Mohammed, the father of Ahmed, widely known as the “Clock Boy,” after the latter brought a clock device resembling a bomb to his school in 2016. It sought damages from the Center and its EVP in response to public statements made by Mr. Hanson, a former Green Beret, noting the resemblance of the younger Mohammed’s self-declared “invention” to a bomb. The plaintiffs also took exception to Mr. Hanson’s opinions regarding the potential motivations of the Mohammed family and Islamist groups like the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) that actively promoted the Clock Boy’s claims that he was a victim of discrimination and Islamophobia.
Fortunately, a Texas statute prohibits Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP), thereby protecting free speech and citizens’ right to speak their minds without having to defend themselves in court.
Upon learning that, as recommended by the Center’s counsel, the American Freedom Law Center, District Court Judge Maricela Moore had dismissed the suit, Jim Hanson observed:
This ruling reaffirms our most fundamental liberty – the right to free expression – and punishes Mr. Mohammed and his allies for attempting to suppress ideas they oppose. The Center for Security Policy will continue to stand firm against all attempts by individuals and groups like CAIR that seek through lawfare and other means to prohibit any criticism of totalitarian Islamist doctrine and to brand as Islamophobes those who point out their efforts. Shutting down free speech is anti-constitutional and un-American.
The Center for Security Policy recently released a book establishing the ties between the Council on American Islamic Relations and one of the world’s most notorious terrorist groups: CAIR is Hamas: How the Federal Government Proved the Council on American Islamic Relations is a Front for Terrorism. The monograph may be downloaded for free at www.SecureFreedom.org.
About The Center for Security Policy
The Center for Security Policy is a non-profit, non-partisan national security organization that specializes in identifying policies, actions, and resource needs that are vital to American security and then ensures that such issues are the subject of both focused, principled examination and effective action by recognized policy experts, appropriate officials, opinion leaders, and the general public. For more information visit www.securefreedom.org
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