HAN Member Scores Free Speech Victory In Pro Bono Case

Congratulations to HAN member Robin Brooks-Rigolosi (LSC 99), who recently secured a free speech victory in New York criminal court.  As Robin reported in the Winter 2004 HANews, New York City police arrested independent filmmaker John Fucile in September 2003 for selling DVD copies of his films on street corners.  Fucile was charged with vending without a license, even though only vendors are eligible for such licenses, not artists selling their own works.  Robin took on the case pro bono with the support of the Institute for Justice (including a citation to IJ's victory for New Orleans entrepreneurs who had been barred by the City from selling books from the sidewalk), and she convinced the court to dismiss the charges.  Robin's tenacity and pro bono spirit helped ensure that the free speech rights of Big Apple denizens remain secure.