A series of tweets from various users have criticized Reagan Airports Twitter staff and others for mischaracterizing the blocking of roadways as an exercise of First Amendment rights. It was highlighted that there is no constitutional right to impede traffic, and such actions are illegal and can lead to a civil cause of action for public nuisance. The debate was intensified by a tweet from Reagan Airport's Twitter account, which was condemned for seemingly providing cover for those blocking roads by referring to it as 'exercising first amendment rights'. This controversy has prompted calls for the Biden DOJ to issue guidance on what are and aren’t First Amendment rights in public spaces.
Reagan Airport sent an insane tweet in response to pro-Gaza protesters blocking traffic. There's no First Amendment right to shut down streets and block movement. The social media responses are epic. CHECK IT OUT: https://t.co/KvlKGIWTQr https://t.co/ARazYd5UOJ
Expect bad tweets from @Reagan_Airport due to a lack of familiarity with what is and is not protected by the first amendment. https://t.co/0mkSIRhNko
“First amendment rights in roadway.” Public authorities seem convinced—wrongly—1st Amendment means they can’t maintain public order and protect rights and well-being of others. Biden DOJ should issue guidance as to what are and aren’t 1st amendment rights in public spaces. https://t.co/o3N92yBGiP
Blocking other people’s movement is not a First Amendment right. It is a dick move. https://t.co/ojSGk0wCom
First of all, "vehicles" don't have First Amendment rights. Secondly, it's illegal to block traffic. Why is everyone so reluctant to describe these "protesters" exactly as they are, instead resorting to such bizarre euphemisms? https://t.co/lwS9TpY87e
The Hamas Fan Club is trapping drivers in their cars. There is no First Amendment right to deprive other people the use of public utilities. https://t.co/JFHIzD6e67
Hi! No matter what your views are on the Israel-Palestine debate, I’m here with your reminder that violating other people’s right to move freely has absolutely nothing to do with the First Amendment. It is not, in fact, free speech. Thank you! https://t.co/ChTqdQZPii https://t.co/3UFqIDCniI
Absolutely no. Blocking a road is not protected First Amendment activity. https://t.co/7tkkDFOJHj
All the legal advice in one tweet. There's no free speech right to block traffic. Nor to float balloons that might crash planes. Nor to vandalize bookstores and public libraries. Nor to steal sandwiches, even if the seller also has premises in Israel. Nor to assault people who…
Ah, the old "If you're a left-wing anti-Semite who supports terrorists you can pretend blocking traffic in your car is speech" clause of the First Amendment. https://t.co/KVLLR13YIM
THIS IS NOT A FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT. ARREST THEM ALL. https://t.co/MuiII3o343
I just let loose a string of expletives that startled my dogs when I read “exercising first amendment rights in roadway.” I see that a lot of people have pointed this out already, but blocking traffic isn’t exercising your first amendment rights. Ffs. https://t.co/mtzDQE8hKV
There is no 'first amendment right' to block traffic and stop people from making their flights. Stop enabling bad behavior from people because 1. it's the police's job to stop this nonsense and 2. someone else will eventually do something about it and things will get ugly quick. https://t.co/IjXaiAiW6y
The fact that whoever wrote this specifically wrote “exercising first amendment rights” when no such right to to block public roads exists shows you this is all intentional. Just like the southern invasion… https://t.co/vV9TMil4Nc
“Exercising First Amendment rights”?! Try “criminally blocking the road” https://t.co/PXlprWIozo
You do not have a first amendment right to block the roadway. In fact, drivers inconvenienced by such illegal action have a civil cause of action for public nuisance against the people and organizations conspiring to block the roadway. If you were trapped in your car, you have a… https://t.co/WDBqSZwDA5 https://t.co/H4Evf8F0WP
Reagan Airports Twitter staff is exercising its first amendment rights to provide cover for disgusting people. https://t.co/E5bW2dhThn
You do not have a First Amendment right to block an active roadway. Reagan Airport out here spreading the misinformation and making my job as a First Amendment guy harder. https://t.co/wbQmZiJmDv
Can we please stop calling the blocking of roadways “exercising First Amendment rights”? It’s not. https://t.co/A70F6fHOww
No. Don’t block roads. https://t.co/xfoa8i9Jke