Albuquerque, NM – Today Concerned Veterans for America (CVA) is submitting written comments to New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver urging her not to proceed with her proposed measure that would have a chilling impact on free speech in the state.
CVA opposes the measure because it will infringe on New Mexicans’ rights to freely speak and associate, will directly deter citizens from exercising their First Amendment right to advocate on important public policy issues, diminish their ability to communicate their ideas to their fellow citizens, and invade citizens’ privacy.
You can read the full comments here.
CVA Policy Director Dan Caldwell issued the following statement:
“The measure proposed by Secretary Oliver would seriously diminish the ability for New Mexicans to freely support causes they believe in without fear of retribution from citizens or politicians who may disagree with them. New Mexicans from all walks of life deserve the ability to freely advocate on behalf of the causes they support. Veterans fought and sacrificed to protect the First Amendment and we urge Secretary Oliver not to obstruct this hallowed right.”
Earlier today CVA released a coalition letter urging the Secretary of State to abandon her measure. The letter has been signed by 29 individuals representing 14 different organizations who share a common goal of protecting free speech in New Mexico. Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson is among the signers.
CVA recently launched a mail campaign urging New Mexicans to contact Secretary Oliver with a digital tool that allows them to call or email her office in opposition to this anti-free speech measure.
Governor Martinez vetoed S.B. 96, a similar anti-free speech measure that passed the legislature in April. CVA led a coalition of 11 different organizations and sent a letter to Governor Martinez asking her to reject the measure. 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.
Earlier last year, CVA started “Defend the First,” a project dedicated to beating back threats against free speech at the state and federal level.
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