Tuesday, Nov. 27 at 1 – 2:30 p.m. EST (10 a.m. PST)

Thursday, Nov. 29 at 1 – 2:30 p.m. EST (10 a.m. PST)

This webinar will help activists, community organizers, and NGOs to build resilience to “Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation” (SLAPPs), a tactic that is being used by powerful interests to silence our Constitutionally-protected free speech rights. Speakers will provide a basic overview of how to reduce your exposure to SLAPPs, and how to run an effective public communications campaign if you have been SLAPPed.

This webinar is intended for public interest activists, community organizers, and NGOs. Registration is free. Please register here by Friday, November 23.

 

WHAT IS A SLAPP?

Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) are a dangerous form of lawsuit that targets civil society advocates, community leaders, journalists, whistleblowers, and everyday people who exercise their Constitutional rights. SLAPPs masquerade as ordinary civil lawsuits, but their true purpose is to silence criticism.

A SLAPP does not need to be successful in court to have its intended effect. The goal of a SLAPP is to retaliate against critics by draining their resources in costly and time-consuming litigation. In many cases, SLAPP bullies hope that the lawsuit will end in a binding settlement that muzzles the critic’s future rights to free speech.

 

WHO IS ORGANIZING THIS WEBINAR?

This webinar is being provided by the Protect the Protest Task Force, a new nationwide coalition created in September. The goal of the task force is to end the threat that SLAPPs pose to democracy and those working in the public interest.

 

WHO IS THIS WEBINAR DESIGNED FOR?

This webinar is designed for activists, community organizers, and NGOs in the United States. A future webinar will be geared toward journalists and media organizations. Participation is free, but registration is required. Please register here by Friday, November 23.

 

WHEN IS THE WEBINAR?

We are offering the webinar on two dates:

• Tuesday, Nov. 27th at 1 p.m. EST (or 10 a.m. PST)
• Thursday, Nov. 29th at 1 p.m. EST (or 10 a.m. PST)

 

WHAT TOPICS WILL BE COVERED?

Topics will include:

• Legal strategies to build resilience to SLAPPs — James Wheaton, First Amendment Project (Tues, Nov. 27) and Lauren Regan, Civil Liberties Defense Center (Thurs, Nov. 29)
• Public communications strategies when you’ve been SLAPPed — Molly Dorozenski, Greenpeace USA (both dates)

 

OTHER INFORMATION

When you register, please indicate which date you plan to attend. Call-in information will be provided the day before each session.

If you have any questions, please contact Kirk Herbertson at kirk@earthrights.org.