A Mom's Fight for Free Speech in Wisconsin Schools
In Wisconsin, a mom and activist named Scarlett Johnson recently won a significant legal victory. She was sued for defamation after speaking out against her school district's focus on social justice. Johnson, who leads the local chapter of Moms for Liberty, made strong comments on social media questioning the district's "Social Justice Coordinator" and calling out what she saw as unnecessary and divisive practices.
The Lawsuit
The person who sued Johnson was Mary MacCudden, a former teacher and the very same "Social Justice Coordinator." MacCudden took issue with Johnson's posts, which also described DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) specialists as "woke lunatics" and "bullies." Johnson argued that her words were just opinions, not facts, and that she had the right to express them.
The Court's Decision
The case went to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, which ruled in Johnson's favor. The court said her comments were opinions and not defamatory because they couldn't be proven true or false. Terms like "bully" and "lunatic" are subjective, and words like "woke" and "White savior" are too vague to be considered defamatory.
"This would never stop if I didn't."
One judge disagreed, though. They thought the posts might have implied hidden facts that a jury should look into. But the majority ruled in Johnson's favor, saying her speech was protected under the First Amendment.
Johnson's Perspective
Johnson saw the lawsuit as an attempt to silence her and other parents who speak out against DEI programs. She recalled facing similar legal threats before a school board election, which she believed was a way to intimidate her. She decided to fight back this time to set a precedent for other parents.
"I felt I had to stand up."
She hopes the ruling will encourage other parents to speak out against what they see as radical ideologies in schools without fear of being sued.
Legal Representation
The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL), which represented Johnson, praised the ruling. They said it affirmed that everyone has the right to question and criticize their government. The legal team was pleased that the court agreed and that Johnson could move on from the case.