Chicago, IL (Oct. 24, 2019)- The Illinois Opportunity Project applauds U.S. District Judge Brian Martinotti for siding with the Constitution and halting a New Jersey law that requires issue advocacy organizations to report their donors to the government and announce their sponsorship on all issue advocacy materials.
“Freedom of speech has been a core value of our democracy since our country’s inception. We applaud the Judge’s decision to stop enforcement of this law and protect Americans’ First Amendment right to support causes they believe in without fear of retribution,” said IOP President Matthew Besler.
The Illinois Opportunity Project filed a lawsuit against the state of New Jersey to protect current and future supporters’ right of free speech and freedom of association without having to disclose their private information to the government.
“Laws like the one in New Jersey stifle private citizens’ right to support organizations that advocate on behalf of their beliefs,” said Besler. “In order to have a flourishing democracy, we must encourage the free flow of ideas without putting private citizens at harm financially or physically who don’t want their information to be shared with the public.
“The Illinois Opportunity Project stands up for First Amendment rights for all citizens and hopes that the courts recognize the potential ramifications of these laws, permanently striking down this New Jersey law and others similar to it as unconstitutional.”
Background: The Illinois Opportunity Project is an issue advocacy organization that seeks to promote the social good and common welfare by educating the public about policy that is driven by the principles of liberty and free enterprise and to advocate for the advancement of such policy.
Liberty Justice Center is representing Illinois Opportunity Project in Illinois Opportunity Project v. Holden. The lawsuit was filed on Sept. 11, 2019, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, Trenton Division. The case is available here: https://libertyjusticecenter.org/cases/illinois-opportunity-project-v-holden.
