The Protect the Protest coalition
@protecttheprotest.bsky.social
A task force of nonprofit organizations that have combined our expertise and collective power to fight back against SLAPPs and protect the free speech of public interest advocates in the United States. Shares ≠ endorsements. #StopSLAPPs #ProtectTheProtest
Judges are rejecting efforts to criminalize protest.
These legal attacks are meant to drain movements of time, energy, and hope, but truth and justice still carry weight in the courtroom.
Read our full overview of these cases: www.protecttheprotest.org/stories/defe...
These legal attacks are meant to drain movements of time, energy, and hope, but truth and justice still carry weight in the courtroom.
Read our full overview of these cases: www.protecttheprotest.org/stories/defe...
Defending Dissent: How Activists Are Beating Back “Lawfare” Attacks on the Palestine Movement — Protect the Protest
From campus crackdowns to courtroom intimidation, recent legal victories mark a turning point for free speech and protest rights in the U.S. Two Years of Retaliation and Resilience Palestinian righ...
www.protecttheprotest.org
December 4, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Judges are rejecting efforts to criminalize protest.
These legal attacks are meant to drain movements of time, energy, and hope, but truth and justice still carry weight in the courtroom.
Read our full overview of these cases: www.protecttheprotest.org/stories/defe...
These legal attacks are meant to drain movements of time, energy, and hope, but truth and justice still carry weight in the courtroom.
Read our full overview of these cases: www.protecttheprotest.org/stories/defe...
Helmann v. CodePink & PYM; Sumrall v. Ali
➡️ A win, a setback. A shifting protest landscape.
Helmann v. CodePink & PYM: all claims against PYM were dismissed. Claims against CodePink continue.
Sumrall v. Ali: a court issued an injunction against activist Janine Ali despite her criminal acquittal.
➡️ A win, a setback. A shifting protest landscape.
Helmann v. CodePink & PYM: all claims against PYM were dismissed. Claims against CodePink continue.
Sumrall v. Ali: a court issued an injunction against activist Janine Ali despite her criminal acquittal.
December 4, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Helmann v. CodePink & PYM; Sumrall v. Ali
➡️ A win, a setback. A shifting protest landscape.
Helmann v. CodePink & PYM: all claims against PYM were dismissed. Claims against CodePink continue.
Sumrall v. Ali: a court issued an injunction against activist Janine Ali despite her criminal acquittal.
➡️ A win, a setback. A shifting protest landscape.
Helmann v. CodePink & PYM: all claims against PYM were dismissed. Claims against CodePink continue.
Sumrall v. Ali: a court issued an injunction against activist Janine Ali despite her criminal acquittal.
UMD SJP v. University of Maryland
➡️ Student rights upheld. $100K settlement and major First Amendment win.
UMD canceled SJP’s approved Gaza vigil. SJP sued – and won.
UMD settled for $100K which SJP is reinvesting in organizing.
➡️ Student rights upheld. $100K settlement and major First Amendment win.
UMD canceled SJP’s approved Gaza vigil. SJP sued – and won.
UMD settled for $100K which SJP is reinvesting in organizing.
December 4, 2025 at 11:44 PM
UMD SJP v. University of Maryland
➡️ Student rights upheld. $100K settlement and major First Amendment win.
UMD canceled SJP’s approved Gaza vigil. SJP sued – and won.
UMD settled for $100K which SJP is reinvesting in organizing.
➡️ Student rights upheld. $100K settlement and major First Amendment win.
UMD canceled SJP’s approved Gaza vigil. SJP sued – and won.
UMD settled for $100K which SJP is reinvesting in organizing.
Parizer v. AMP
➡️ Case dismissed. Court rejects terrorism accusations.
Plaintiffs tried to blame AMP, NSJP, and WESPAC for the October 7 attack. The court found no evidence, no nexus, and no legal basis.
Advocacy for Palestinian rights is protected free speech and protest, not terrorism.
➡️ Case dismissed. Court rejects terrorism accusations.
Plaintiffs tried to blame AMP, NSJP, and WESPAC for the October 7 attack. The court found no evidence, no nexus, and no legal basis.
Advocacy for Palestinian rights is protected free speech and protest, not terrorism.
December 4, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Parizer v. AMP
➡️ Case dismissed. Court rejects terrorism accusations.
Plaintiffs tried to blame AMP, NSJP, and WESPAC for the October 7 attack. The court found no evidence, no nexus, and no legal basis.
Advocacy for Palestinian rights is protected free speech and protest, not terrorism.
➡️ Case dismissed. Court rejects terrorism accusations.
Plaintiffs tried to blame AMP, NSJP, and WESPAC for the October 7 attack. The court found no evidence, no nexus, and no legal basis.
Advocacy for Palestinian rights is protected free speech and protest, not terrorism.
Gerwaski v. AMP & SJP UNLV
➡️ Anti-SLAPP victory. Nevada court protects student speech.
A Nevada judge dismissed emotional-distress claims against SJP UNLV and AMP, holding that their protest and online speech were protected.
A strong affirmation of campus free speech.
➡️ Anti-SLAPP victory. Nevada court protects student speech.
A Nevada judge dismissed emotional-distress claims against SJP UNLV and AMP, holding that their protest and online speech were protected.
A strong affirmation of campus free speech.
December 4, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Gerwaski v. AMP & SJP UNLV
➡️ Anti-SLAPP victory. Nevada court protects student speech.
A Nevada judge dismissed emotional-distress claims against SJP UNLV and AMP, holding that their protest and online speech were protected.
A strong affirmation of campus free speech.
➡️ Anti-SLAPP victory. Nevada court protects student speech.
A Nevada judge dismissed emotional-distress claims against SJP UNLV and AMP, holding that their protest and online speech were protected.
A strong affirmation of campus free speech.
Lavi v. UNRWA USA
➡️ Court rejects terrorism smears. Humanitarian aid ≠ terrorism.
The court dismissed claims that UNRWA USA’s fundraising “supported terrorism,” citing Twitter v. Taamneh: no direct link, no liability.
The ruling affirms: political attacks can’t criminalize aid.
➡️ Court rejects terrorism smears. Humanitarian aid ≠ terrorism.
The court dismissed claims that UNRWA USA’s fundraising “supported terrorism,” citing Twitter v. Taamneh: no direct link, no liability.
The ruling affirms: political attacks can’t criminalize aid.
December 4, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Lavi v. UNRWA USA
➡️ Court rejects terrorism smears. Humanitarian aid ≠ terrorism.
The court dismissed claims that UNRWA USA’s fundraising “supported terrorism,” citing Twitter v. Taamneh: no direct link, no liability.
The ruling affirms: political attacks can’t criminalize aid.
➡️ Court rejects terrorism smears. Humanitarian aid ≠ terrorism.
The court dismissed claims that UNRWA USA’s fundraising “supported terrorism,” citing Twitter v. Taamneh: no direct link, no liability.
The ruling affirms: political attacks can’t criminalize aid.
Manhart v. WESPAC Foundation et al.
➡️ SLAPP Dismissed.
A federal judge threw out a commuter’s “false imprisonment” lawsuit against Palestine solidarity groups after the A15 protest and issued sanctions for filing a frivolous case.
A major win against lawfare targeting protest movements.
➡️ SLAPP Dismissed.
A federal judge threw out a commuter’s “false imprisonment” lawsuit against Palestine solidarity groups after the A15 protest and issued sanctions for filing a frivolous case.
A major win against lawfare targeting protest movements.
December 4, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Manhart v. WESPAC Foundation et al.
➡️ SLAPP Dismissed.
A federal judge threw out a commuter’s “false imprisonment” lawsuit against Palestine solidarity groups after the A15 protest and issued sanctions for filing a frivolous case.
A major win against lawfare targeting protest movements.
➡️ SLAPP Dismissed.
A federal judge threw out a commuter’s “false imprisonment” lawsuit against Palestine solidarity groups after the A15 protest and issued sanctions for filing a frivolous case.
A major win against lawfare targeting protest movements.
Today, as pipelines expand, state policing and militarization intensifies, and Indigenous sovereignty remains under threat, we honor the Indigenous leadership and courage at Standing Rock in continuing the fight for land, water and the right to resist.
#NoDAPL #StandingRock #WaterIsLife #Landback
#NoDAPL #StandingRock #WaterIsLife #Landback
November 20, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Today, as pipelines expand, state policing and militarization intensifies, and Indigenous sovereignty remains under threat, we honor the Indigenous leadership and courage at Standing Rock in continuing the fight for land, water and the right to resist.
#NoDAPL #StandingRock #WaterIsLife #Landback
#NoDAPL #StandingRock #WaterIsLife #Landback
The attacks came after months of peaceful encampments, prayer actions + frontline leadership from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. Their resistance inspired worldwide solidarity, as millions watched Indigenous youth, elders + allies defend land, water + treaty rights against militarized police forces.
November 20, 2025 at 8:56 PM
The attacks came after months of peaceful encampments, prayer actions + frontline leadership from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. Their resistance inspired worldwide solidarity, as millions watched Indigenous youth, elders + allies defend land, water + treaty rights against militarized police forces.
That night became one of the defining moments of the #NoDAPL movement. It exposed the scale of state violence used to protect fossil fuel interests.
November 20, 2025 at 8:56 PM
That night became one of the defining moments of the #NoDAPL movement. It exposed the scale of state violence used to protect fossil fuel interests.
As protectors gathered at Backwater Bridge to clear a road for emergency access, law enforcement blasted them with water cannons in below-freezing temperatures, tear gas, rubber bullets, and concussion grenades. Hundreds were injured.
November 20, 2025 at 8:56 PM
As protectors gathered at Backwater Bridge to clear a road for emergency access, law enforcement blasted them with water cannons in below-freezing temperatures, tear gas, rubber bullets, and concussion grenades. Hundreds were injured.