Judge Permits Greene, Gaetz Lawsuit Against California Cities

The lawsuit by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) against two California cities is now full speed ahead. A federal judge on Friday allowed the legal action from the two Republican firebrands to continue.

U.S. District Judge Hernan Vera issued a 22-page opinion agreeing with the plaintiffs that sufficient evidence exists for their claims against the cities of Anaheim and Riverside. Both municipalities shut down the lawmakers’ 2021 rallies in an apparent violation of free speech rights.

However, Vera stopped short of agreeing with the representatives that there was a conspiracy involving left-wing nonprofits.

He said the suit lacked evidence that a “meeting of the minds” was conducted that is necessary to claim a conspiracy. Despite this, he found sufficient cause that both lawmakers’ First Amendment rights were infringed upon.

Gaetz and Greene scheduled America First rallies in the two cities in 2021 only to have their planned sites cancel the events. Both locations suffered pressure from left-wing extremists and city governments to call off the gatherings.

The lawsuit alleged that one venue’s permit to conduct business was threatened with revocation.

Instead of the massive indoor rallies, Gaetz and Greene appeared outside of the Riverside City Hall for a “Free Speech Peaceful Protest.” A boisterous crowd gathered to cheer on the lawmakers.

Both politicians earned their reputations as stalwart defenders of former President Donald Trump and the Constitution. Neither are afraid to stir the pot when House leadership falls short of conservative values.

Riverside officials disagreed with the lawsuit and sought to have it dismissed. Vera did not concur with their reasoning, determining that the Republicans “sufficiently alleged” that the city delegated its authority.

This outsourcing to liberal groups resulted in the rallies being canceled, according to the legislators.

According to MSNBC, Gaetz and Greene listed as co-defendants the League of Women Voters, the NAACP, the League of United Latin American Citizens, Unidos for La Causa, Women’s March Action and other leftist organizations.

Besides asking for unspecified damages, the representatives seek an injunction to prohibit municipalities from “coercing private venues from entering into facilities use contracts with Plaintiffs for future political rallies.”