ACLU Comment on Julian Assange Indictment

Tennessee's execution policies prevent the press from witnessing critical stages before and after a state execution. However, the public needs to know how they work—or don't work—to participate in informed public debate. The ACLU's State Supreme Court Initiative, alongside the ACLU of Tennessee, filed an amicus brief explaining why a provision in the Tennessee Constitution that guarantees access to government proceedings requires greater press access to executions.

BREWER, Maine — In a victory for free speech, Amanda McGonigle, creator of the social media accounts @CatsOnACouch, was allowed to attend Vice President Vance’s official speaking engagement in Brewer, Maine today. McGonigle entered without interference after the ACLU and ACLU of Maine filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to allow her to attend future official vice-presidential events. The government agreed she could attend the event today in Maine, just like any other member of the public who registered. Given this agreement, the court denied the motion, and McGonigle successfully attended today’s event. “I was just allowed entrance into Vice President Vance’s event after I sued the government for preventing me from entering the last public event he did in Maine," said Amanda McGonigle. “The government can’t exclude me from official vice-presidential events otherwise open to the public just because I mock people in positions of power on the internet. I have as much right to attend these events as people who haven't called out the vice president for having the charisma of a soggy unsalted rice cake online.” The filing comes after McGonigle registered to attend a vice-presidential event in Maine in May and complied with all advance guest guidance provided by the Executive Office of the President. While in line for the event, armed Secret Service agents and other government officials identified her in the line and told her she wasn’t allowed in because “we know where you stand.” She was also denied guest details to attend an event that was open for registration by the public in Des Moines, Iowa. “The First Amendment protects Amanda’s right to attend public vice-presidential events just like anyone else, no matter how many cat jokes she makes at the vice president’s expense,” said Anahita Sotoohi, staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine. “It’s unfortunate that Amanda had to file a lawsuit to vindicate this right, but we are glad to see the federal government finally acknowledge and respect her right to attend the Brewer event. Amanda should also be able to attend similar events in the future. No matter who is in power, the Constitution protects every person’s right to publicly joke, mock, insult, and dissent.” McGonigle filed suit earlier this summer to challenge the government’s retaliation and viewpoint-based discrimination against her. McGonigle claimed that she was excluded from the May event in Bangor, Maine, and another event in Des Moines, because of commentary she posts on her social media accounts, which are dedicated to criticizing the Vice President. She launched her @CatsOnACouch accounts after Vice President Vance’s infamous “childless cat lady” comment in 2024, and she says the purpose of the account is “to have more followers than JD Vance by the time he leaves office and to troll him mercilessly every single day.” “The government cannot prohibit people from attending vice-presidential events on the basis of their protected speech,” said Laura Moraff, staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union. “We’re glad the federal government recognized that Amanda has the right to attend today's Brewer event just like everyone else who registered, and we hope the government continues to stand down and not interfere with our client’s right to criticize and joke.” The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Maine filed the suit on behalf of McGonigle in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine in early July. The complaint alleges that McGonigle’s First Amendment rights were violated when she was excluded from vice presidential events because of her speech and political views.

PORTLAND, Maine — Amanda McGonigle, creator of the social media accounts @CatsOnACouch, asked the court today to step in to allow her to attend future official vice-presidential events, including Vice President Vance’s upcoming speaking engagement in Brewer, Maine on Monday, for which McGonigle registered. In May of this year, McGonigle registered to attend an official vice-presidential event in Bangor, Maine but was prevented from entering the event. While in line for that event, armed Secret Service agents and other government officials called her out by name and told her she wasn’t allowed in because “we know where you stand.” McGonigle is asking a court today to ensure that she is able to attend future events, like the upcoming event in Brewer, without interference, so that she can listen to the Vice President’s remarks, express her views as an audience member, and report on the event for her millions of social media followers. “Last time I went to Maine to hear what the Vice President had to say, I was singled out by armed guards and prohibited from attending,” said Amanda McGonigle. “All I want is to attend these events in peace, just like all the other people in line who haven’t compared the Vice President to a sentient jar of mayonnaise online.” McGonigle filed suit earlier this summer to challenge the government’s retaliation and viewpoint-based discrimination against her. McGonigle claimed that she was excluded from the Bangor event, and another event in Des Moines, because of commentary she posts on her social media accounts, which are dedicated to criticizing the Vice President. She launched her @CatsOnACouch accounts after Vice President Vance’s infamous “childless cat lady” comment in 2024, and she says the purpose of the account is “to have more followers than JD Vance by the time he leaves office and to troll him mercilessly every single day.” “No matter who is in power, the Constitution protects our right to publicly joke, mock, insult, and dissent,” said Anahita Sotoohi staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine. “The government is on notice that our client knows her First Amendment rights and will fight in court to enforce them. Using humor and satire to criticize elected officials is a long-standing tradition and the First Amendment secures Amanda’s right to continue in that tradition. It's a testament to the power of speech and the power of laughter that Vance is attempting to silence someone over a cat-themed social media account.” The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Maine filed the suit on behalf of McGonigle in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine in early July. The complaint alleges that McGonigle’s First Amendment rights were violated when she was excluded from vice presidential events because of her speech and political views. “The First Amendment protects our client’s criticism of the federal government as well as her satirical cat content,” said Laura Moraff, staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union. “Ms. McGonigle has every right to register for and attend official vice-presidential events, just like any other member of the public.” You can read today’s filing here, Amanda’s declaration here, and more about the case here.