Santa Fe, NM – Today, New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver will hold a hearing on her revised, unconstitutional anti-free speech measure in Santa Fe. The hearing will give citizens the opportunity to share their opinions about the measure.
Secretary Oliver recently announced revisions to her formerly-proposed measure forcing citizens who support causes to list their names and personal information publicly – leaving them open to harassment and intimidation. This effort represents a massive overreach by Secretary Oliver, who does not have the authority to implement such drastic changes to New Mexico’s laws.
Concerned Veterans for America (CVA) Policy Director Dan Caldwell issued the following statement:
“Secretary Oliver is circumventing the legislative process to push forward a measure that would inhibit the First Amendment rights of citizens. It’s important that New Mexicans are given the opportunity to voice opposition to this deeply flawed and unconstitutional measure. We’ve seen an overwhelming response to Oliver’s rule from New Mexicans who have serious concerns about the impact it would have on their right to free expression. This measure will limit open debate in New Mexico and we encourage citizens of the state to stand up for their rights today.”
After Secretary Oliver released her revised measure, CVA launched a digital tool that allows New Mexicans to submit comments to her office.
In July, CVA joined a coalition of 29 individuals representing 14 different organizations that submitted a letter to the Secretary asking her to end 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.
Earlier this year, Governor Susana 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 S.B. 96. 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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