J100-FA24-A

In 2010, two organizations which advocated for the support of terrorist actions (among other illegal activities) challenged the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act (AEDPA). The plaintiffs' (organizations') argued the AEDPA should be considered "unconstitutionally vague." The AEDPA defines the knowledgable material support of terrorist entities a criminal act, regardless of whether the outcomes of this support are peaceful or not. Material support is a legal term covering any provision of resources to sanctioned terrorist efforts. The Supreme Court ultimately ruled in favor of Holder, the attorney general (head of the Department of Justice). The court maintained it's stance on the verified constitutionality of the AEDPA, and that material support of terrorist groups is unlawful. Despite this decision, a few of the judges agreed that in the context of the specifications of this case (the definite illegal movements of the plaintiffs), the AEDPA is not uncon...

The First Amendment of the Constitution was ratified on December 15th, 1791. Among ten other amendments included in the Bill of Rights, the First Amendment guarantees American citizens the protected freedom to establish and exercise religion, along with the freedoms of speech, press, and assembly. Among these freedoms, uninhibited speech is most commonly cited within America today. Legally, the U.S. government is prohibited from creating laws which restrict free speech. For example, the government cannot write a law that penalize citizens for expressing their dissenting opinions of war. Although the Constitution promises this right to everyone, it is ultimately left to the Supreme Court to decide whether a person or entity's actions are protected by the Constitution. Over the years since the First Amendment's appointment, the Supreme Court has made revisions and additional regulations through the decision of several case rulings. For example, in 1965 a case called Tinker v. Des...

Charlotte Kates is cofounder and international coordinator for the anti-Israel charity and advocacy group, Samidoun: Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network. Kates' group is currently facing backlash for their steadfast support of classified terrorist group named the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). Following the October 7th terrorist attacks of 2023, performed by the PFLP, Samidoun assisted in the set up and operation of various college campus anti-Israel protests. In October of 2024, the U.S. Treasury Department declared Samidoun as a criminal entity due to their continued funding for the PFLP. Kates maintains her and her organization's opinion of these terrorists groups, siding with their cause and justifying these massacres as a means for change. Samidoun believes that any form of Palestinian resistance, violent or otherwise, is necessary to effectively diminish the power of Israel's forces within Gaza territory.  “What Is Samidoun, the ‘charity’ Th...

Hello, my name is Isabella Juarez, and I'm one of four contributors to this project!  I am currently majoring in English and in my second year attending Mt.SAC. I have always loved to read and write, so I'm hoping to make a career out of my skills. I work at the Writing Center as a tutor to learn more about guiding others through the writing process. In my free time I like to read fiction, watch sitcoms and procedural dramas, and create cute keychains! Thanks for stopping to read a little bit about me!