Connecticut Justices Asked About Law Criminalizing Biased Speech

Whether a Connecticut law that makes certain biased statements a class D misdemeanor applies to barbs between friends and co-workers is unclear, a federal judge ruled, referring the question in a lawsuit challenging the law’s constitutionality to the Connecticut Supreme Court for clarification.

Lawyer Mario Cerame alleges in the suit that Connecticut General Statutes §53-37 violates his rights to free speech.

The law says it applies to any person who “by his advertisement” holds up to contempt or ridicules another based on race, religion, nationality, or certain other protected traits, the US District Court for the District of Connecticut said. ...