Every American has the right to ask questions. Including La Gordiloca.

The First Amendment protects the right to criticize public officials without fear of imprisonment. Freedom of speech and freedom of the press would be meaningless if people could express only opinions favored by the authorities.

This is what citizen journalist Priscilla Villarreal thought. But on Jan. 23, 2024, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals split 9-7 against her in her First Amendment retaliation case against the Laredo police and prosecutors who arrested her.

Her alleged crime? Asking a police officer questions to corroborate the details of a traffic collision and a suicide. The officer voluntarily answered her questions. She accurately reported the information. That’s it.

Read the full column here.

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