Arkansasstate senator Wednesday dismissed critics from his social media accounts under a settlement the National Atheist Group said it had reached with the state. It should be unblocked.
American atheists have announced a settlement of a federal lawsuit against the state of Arkansas over Republican Senator Jason Rapert's social media. According to a copy of the settlement signed by Rapert last week, lawmakers must remove all restrictions on Facebook and Twitter accounts.
"This is a victory for free speech and equality for atheists," said Jeffrey T. Blackwell, litigator for atheists of the United States, in a statement released by the group. said in
Rappert said he did not discriminate against voters and he did not admit wrongdoing by signing the settlement.
"The opportunity to settle this lawsuit without admitting liability or wrongdoing will save everyone involved time, money and effort," he said in a statement.
Lawmakers have sponsored several abortion restrictions.A law also required states to allow a Ten Commandments memorial on the Capitol grounds.Lapert ran for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor earlier this year
If Rappert blocks any of the plaintiffs by Jan. 1, when he resigns, he must document the basis for the restriction. It is seeking to pay American Atheists $16,291 in costs related to the lawsuit.
The group filed the lawsuit on its behalf. Plaintiffs claimed that Lapert's account was a public forum they should have access to.
Rapert claimed he had a First Amendment right to bar people he said were personally attacking and bullying him. was scheduled for a month.
A spokeswoman for Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, who represents Rappert, said the lawmaker was being sued in her official capacity as a government employee, without further comment.
