Write to the Cleveland City Council
It's important to let lawmakers know that the people of Cleveland want to end qualified immunity. Follow the link below to send the Cleveland City Council indicating your support for qualified immunity reform.
The First Amendment is Under Threat in Northeast Ohio. Help protect it.
These Ohioans had their fundamental right to free speech violated.
William Fambrough, East Cleveland
In 2021, William used his van to campaign for a challenger to the incumbent mayor of East Cleveland. In response, the city government intimidated William by repeatedly showing up to his home, citing him, fining him, and towing his van, which was damaged so badly in the process that it could not be used to campaign.
Anthony Novak, Parma
In 2016, Anthony created a parody Facebook page poking fun at the Parma Police Department. Instead of respecting his First Amendment right to make fun of the government, the Parma Police arrested him, raided his home, kept him in jail for multiple days, and brought him all the way to a jury trial. The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear his case.
Government officials who intentionally violate the Constitutional rights of Americans must be held accountable.
Unfortunately, a judge-made legal doctrine known as qualified immunity often makes this impossible. Because of qualified immunity, it is extremely difficult to sue any government employee even if they intentionally violate your rights. The officials who violated Anthony's First Amendment rights were never held accountable because of qualified immunity. This is wrong. We need your help to change it!
It's time for change!
In Ohio, counties, cities, townships, and villages have the freedom to limit qualified immunity for government employees if they choose. The Institute for Justice works with both states and municipalities to create a pathway for victims of government abuse to sue the responsible officials and get their day in court.
Reforms like this mean victims like William, Anthony, and countless others will have the ability to vindicate their rights in court.
But change does not happen in a vacuum. It requires people like you to let your local representatives know that the Constitution is not an empty promise. Many Ohioans are already members of our grassroots coalition Americans Against Qualified Immunity (AAQI). Join us and help restore fairness and accountability to the Buckeye State.