Rep. Adams: Congress ‘Blatantly Violated the First Amendment Rights’ of Pigs-as-Cops Artist

EXCERPT:

ADAMS: “And like the removal of the books from libraries, the removal of Mr. Pulphus’s painting was a blatant violation of the First Amendment right. The First Amendment guarantees that our government cannot make  substantive decision about a work of art. Expression can only be limited if and only if that expression will cause direct and imminent harm, such as yelling fire in a crowded theater. Our government’s role is not to censor but to ensure that artists are able to freely express themselves without fear of censorship, and our government did not protect this young man’s First Amendment rights. Instead, it acted as a retroactive censor on his work."