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CVA Launches New Campaign Urging Citizens to Contact Secretary Oliver About Anti-Free Speech Measure

By Concerned Veterans for America

Albuquerque, NM – Concerned Veterans for America (CVA) is launching a new digital ad campaign urging citizens to voice their opposition to a new rule which would force citizens to report what causes they support to the New Mexico state government. The group is directing people to a digital tool which allows them to submit official public comments to the Secretary of State’s office about the flawed measure.

Last week, New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver announced revisions to her formerly-proposed measure forcing citizens who support causes to list their names and personal information publicly. The newly-revised rule is still an egregious attack on free speech in the state and a massive overreach by Secretary Oliver, who does not have the authority to implement such drastic changes to New Mexico’s laws.

Governor Martinez vetoed S.B. 96, a similar anti-free speech measure that passed the legislature in April which should have ended the process.

CVA Policy Director Dan Caldwell issued the following comment:

“Secretary Oliver is overstepping her authority in an attempt to silence New Mexicans. Governor Martinez’s veto should have ended this process, but the Secretary is now actively circumventing the legislative process in an attempt to push her anti-free speech agenda. Secretary Oliver’s revisions do little to change this flawed measure, which would still chill free speech in the state. Our grassroots activists will remain engaged in the fight to protect free speech in New Mexico until this First Amendment threat is defeated.”

Earlier this year, CVA joined a coalition of 29 individuals representing 14 different organizations that submitted a letter to the Secretary asking her to cease her attack on free speech in New Mexico. Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson was among the signers urging the Secretary to abandon her measure.

Prior to Governor Martinez’s initial veto of S.B. 96, CVA led a coalition of 11 different organizations and sent a letter to Governor Martinez asking her to reject the law. The group also launched a targeted digital campaign, including a tool which allowed New Mexico constituents to contact Governor Martinez directly via email, Facebook, Twitter, and phone to warn her about the dangers of S.B. 96.

Last year, CVA launched “Defend the First,” a project focused on protecting the free exchange of information and ideas at the state and federal level.

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