Press Release

FAF Opposes new state rules restricting access to the Capitol

For Immediate Release: February 24, 2023
Contact: Bobby Block
[email protected]
850-224-4555

The First Amendment Foundation vehemently opposes the implementation of new rules by the Department of Management Services restricting individuals and groups who wish to reserve space in Florida’s state Capitol to showcase their organizations and the issues that concern them.

Under the recently released rules, DMS is requiring that events held at the Capitol must “align” with the “mission” of the state. The rules also require organizations seeking to reserve areas to obtain sponsorship by making their requests through specific administration officials or legislative leaders.

Every year, groups promoting awareness of issues like environmental protection or certain life-threatening medical conditions or support for individual business sectors come to the Capitol to set up booths and displays meant to inform or inspire legislators. Protesters also come to the Capitol to speak out on issues ranging from gun control to education policy to – most recently – anti-abortion activists advocating for lawmakers to shrink the current 15-week ban on the procedure.

The First Amendment Foundation sees the new rules by DMS, which has already frozen out groups because they don’t have sponsorship, as yet another attempt by state officials to suppress free speech by erecting barriers and obstacles to public participation in the legislative process.

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Florida First Amendment Foundation taps Bobby Block as Executive Director

Staff Reports

Florida Politics

Block will assume his leading role with the Florida First Amendment Foundation on Feb. 1.

Bobby Block, the current managing editor for Florida Today, will take on a new role as Executive Director for the Florida First Amendment Foundation.

Block will succeed Pamela Marsh, who accepted a position with the Levin College of Law at the University of Florida.

Block has had a four-decade career in journalism, including contributing to the Wall Street Journal’s coverage of 9/11, which earned a Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News in 2002.

He co-authored the book “Disaster: Hurricane Katrina and the Failure of Homeland Security,” and has reported on various conflicts across the globe, including Rwandan genocide in 1994, and the executions of more than 8,000 men and boys by Serbian forces in a Bosnian village in 1995.

Block will assume his leading role with the Florida First Amendment Foundation on Feb. 1. In a press release announcing his hire, the foundation points to a “callous disregard for the law” in the erosion of First Amendment rights in Florida.

“Never has the work of the Foundation been more essential than it is now at a time when reporters and citizens across Florida are being stonewalled and denied their right to access government information,” Block said in a statement. “Public records and Sunshine laws are being routinely disregarded across Florida with seemingly no fear of reprisals. This cannot be allowed to stand for the sake of our democracy.”
In addition to the Wall Street Journal, Block has also reported for the Tribune Company, Reuters and the Independent of London. He has also contributed to the New York Review of Books.

“Robert Block’s stellar career of fighting for truth and accountability made him the perfect choice to lead the Foundation into the future. We are excited to see him bring to life his innovative ideas to empower citizens and journalists alike, as well as pull back attempts to cloak the public’s right to know what’s happening in our government,” Foundation Board of Trustees Vice Chair Trimmel Gomes said.

Under Block’s new leadership, the foundation plans to focus on expanding its educational offerings and partnerships with institutions and organizations that share the foundation’s passion for First Amendment rights. The group seeks to further government accountability and access to public information.

“I have fought for truth and accountability my entire professional life, first overseas, then in Washington and now in my home state,” Block added.

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FAF names James W. Schwartzel the winner of the 2023 Pete Weitzel Friend of the First Amendment Award

ORLANDO, FL – The First Amendment Foundation has named James W. Schwartzel, president of Sun Broadcasting, as the recipient of the 2023 Pete Weitzel Friend of the First Amendment award in recognition of his stand to the Florida legislature on behalf of free speech and the media. 
“By being the first conservative news station owner to oppose legislation that would have made it easier for the rich and powerful to sue their critics in Florida, Jim stood up to defend the rights of the press and free speech of all Floridians,” said Bobby Block, executive director of the First Amendment Foundation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that defends the provision of the first article of the U.S. Bill of Rights.
“Jim’s courage paved the way for other broadcasters, politicians and opponents to criticize the move. Many were initially reluctant to oppose a bill that had the governor’s blessing. But the public outcry stirred by Jim ultimately led to the proposed law stalling and dying in the House and the Senate. Because of his outspoken defense of freedom, we are pleased to name Jim, Friend of the First Amendment.
HB991 and its Senate counterpart would have turned Florida into the libel tourism destination of the United States. It would have frozen public debate and free speech, impacting not just the traditional print and broadcast media, but all media across the political spectrum, including social media, book publishing, entertainment programing, and even theater and satire.
Schwartzel’s willingness to speak out was critical to marshaling widespread opposition to these unconstitutional efforts.
The award was presented to Schwartzel on June 6 at a ceremony in Orlando. 

 
 
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