California free speech case heads to appellate court Monday April 14, 2003
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A California free speech case involving the rights of public employees to speak out on matters of public concern will be heard by a federal appellate court, judges announced Monday. The case centres on a public school teacher who was disciplined after writing a letter to a local newspaper criticising district policy. Civil liberties attorneys argued the action violated First Amendment protections. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals agreed to hear the case, which legal observers say could have broad implications for the free speech rights of California’s estimated 400,000 public employees. (Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) |