Bloggers Defense Team: News

Press Releases

In Regards To the Federal Case

11/28/2012

The Federal case was just dismissed, though not "with prejudice" (that's in criminal law). The court decided to duck the entire matter as a "dispute between political enemies", and we disagree with his assessment as to the Court's inability to grant the remedies sought. We disagree with the ruling and its failure to address in any way even a single point of substantive law raised by either party, nor did it take into consideration our response to Rule 11 filed yesterday, or our forthcoming Opposition to the Motion to Dismiss by the Organizations, which the court should have considered before granting that particular motion.

We plan to pursue all available options, including an appeal, after the 12/04 hearing in Virginia.

Walker Order Reopening With Leave to Amend Until Sept 19th

9/6/2012

For Immediate Release

Image Links to PDF:

In Regards To A Fine-Point Error

8/31/2012

For Immediate Release

Today the Judge in Aaron Walker's Virginia case noticed a minor fine-point error in our original filings with the Court, and therefore dismissed our motion for default judgement against parties Rauhauser and Brynaert. The Bloggers Defense Team intends to amend our filings as soon as possible, correcting the fine-point error in service, and refile our motions to the Court so that justice may move forward in this matter.

Right Solutions (the Institute for Individualism) is a nonprofit 501c3 organization that promotes free speech and robust political discourse. Right Solutions has launched the Bloggers Defense Team to defend and support the legal rights and freedoms of bloggers, particularly to the free and open exchange of ideas on the internet. DB Capitol Strategies PLLC works with Right Solutions to provide pro bono representation to these clients. Right Solutions covers the costs incurred by DB Capitol Strategies PLLC in providing pro bono legal representation to the Bloggers Defense Team, including court fees, expenses of litigation, contract attorney fees, and other administrative & compliance costs, but does not receive any compensation for its services to these clients.

Victims are also calling upon members of Congress and the Department of Justice to form an FBI task force to coordinate law enforcement resources to investigate not only the SWATtings, but the Lawfare and continued and potentially illegal harassment activities aimed at silencing speech and political opinion.

The internet should be the ultimate "marketplace of ideas" where all are free to share opinions without threat of legal harassment, cyber-bullying, or real world threats. For more information, or to donate to the Blogger's Defense Team, go to http://BloggersDefenseTeam.com

A Note In Regards To The BDT Federal Case Filed by Aaron Walker against Kimberlin

8/30/2012

The Federal Case contained an emergency injunction request to strike the state court's unconstitutional peace order. A State Superior Court heard the matter on appeal first, and struck the unconstitutional state peace order for exactly the same reasons the Federal Court would have. Because of this, the Federal Judge called and asked that the motion for preliminary injunction be withdrawn, which it was. Unfortunately, as a minor clerical matter, the entire case file was closed - which in fairness would normally occur if you withdraw the preliminary complaint. The clerical error was caught, and a request to correct it was made, which is being opposed by Brett Kimberlin. We're confident the Judge will allow the case to proceed on the merits so that free speech and the blogger community has its day in court.

Right Solutions (the Institute for Individualism) is a nonprofit 501c3 organization that promotes free speech and robust political discourse. Right Solutions has launched the Bloggers Defense Team to defend and support the legal rights and freedoms of bloggers, particularly to the free and open exchange of ideas on the internet. DB Capitol Strategies PLLC works with Right Solutions to provide pro bono representation to these clients. Right Solutions covers the costs incurred by DB Capitol Strategies PLLC in providing pro bono legal representation to the Bloggers Defense Team, including court fees, expenses of litigation, contract attorney fees, and other administrative & compliance costs, but does not receive any compensation for its services to these clients.

Victims are also calling upon members of Congress and the Department of Justice to form an FBI task force to coordinate law enforcement resources to investigate not only the SWATtings, but the Lawfare and continued and potentially illegal harassment activities aimed at silencing speech and political opinion.

The internet should be the ultimate "marketplace of ideas" where all are free to share opinions without threat of legal harassment, cyber-bullying, or real world threats. For more information, or to donate to the Blogger's Defense Team, go to http://BloggersDefenseTeam.com

Blogger's Defense Team and Chris Muir of Day-by-Day Announce Charitable Auction in Support of Free Speech

For Immediate Release

8/27/2012

Cartoonist Chris Muir of Day-By-Day announced today that he has donated three prints of his cartoon "Last Supper (America) Red vs Blue" to the Blogger's Defense Team and Right Solutions for online auction.

"Last Supper (America) Red vs Blue"

The online auction will begin Tuesday September 4th and conclude Monday September 10th, and will be coupled with interviews, articles, and other efforts to raise awareness about free speech and the dangers of lawfare and cyberharassment.

Each 11" x 19" print has been signed by the following giants of the Blogosphere: Michelle Malkin, Glenn and Helen Reynolds (Instapundit and Dr.Helen), Bill Whittle (Afterburner), Jeff Goldstein (Protein Wisdom), Ed Morrissey (Hot Air), Robert Stacy McCain (The Other McCain), and Mandy Nagy (Liberty Chick). The Blogger's Defense Team and Aaron Walker wishes to thank Muir and each of these bloggers for this donation.

Funds raised by this auction go directly to the legal battle against the online, offline, and legal harassment of bloggers through intimidation, threats, lawfare, and SWATting. The current focus is on cases brought in Maryland Federal Court and Virginia State court on behalf of Aaron Walker against Brett Kimberlin, Neil Rauhauser, and Ron Brynaert.

Right Solutions (the Institute for Individualism) is a nonprofit 501c3 organization that promotes free speech and robust political discourse. Right Solutions has launched the Bloggers Defense Team to defend and support the legal rights and freedoms of bloggers, particularly to the free and open exchange of ideas on the internet. DB Capitol Strategies PLLC works with Right Solutions to provide pro bono representation to these clients. Right Solutions covers the costs incurred by DB Capitol Strategies PLLC in providing pro bono legal representation to the Bloggers Defense Team, including court fees, expenses of litigation, contract attorney fees, and other administrative & compliance costs, but does not receive any compensation for its services to these clients.

Victims are also calling upon members of Congress and the Department of Justice to form an FBI task force to coordinate law enforcement resources to investigate not only the SWATtings, but the Lawfare and continued and potentially illegal harassment activities aimed at silencing speech and political opinion.

The internet should be the ultimate "marketplace of ideas" where all are free to share opinions without threat of legal harassment, cyber-bullying, or real world threats. For more information, or to donate to the Blogger's Defense Team, go to http://BloggersDefenseTeam.com

Previously:

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Forcing Brett Kimberlin & Allies To Comply With Discovery

For Immediate Release

8/16/2012

The Bloggers Defense Team representing Aaron Walker in his lawsuit against Brett Kimberlin, Ron Brynaert and Neal Rauhauser - - led by Washington lawyer Dan Backer - continued to move the case forward to resolve the issues in a just and timely manner. To that end, Backer filed a Motion to Compel Discovery on Defendant Kimberlin today, and requested the motion be heard on 9-14-2012. The motion became necessary after it became clear that Defendant Kimberlin did not plan on cooperating with discovery requests absent a court order.

This motion comes on the heels of motions for default judgment filed against Neil Rauhauser and Ron Brynaert that are scheduled to be heard later this month.

"These are real issues and they need to be resolved; not dragged out in perpetuity to further harass Aaron Walker or delay justice. Delaying this case or the discovery necessary to bring it to a just close is simply unreasonable." noted Backer.

In January, Aaron Walker sued Brett Kimberlin and his associates, Ron Brynaert and Neal Rauhauser, in Virginia, on charges of defamation, state and federal extortion, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. After having been sidelined by a barrage of Kimberlin legal harassment in Maryland - which led to a temporary and wholly unconstitutional Court order silencing Walker's blogging - the Virginia litigation is now continuing. Written discovery has already been served on Kimberlin and was due by August 10th, with no response. His cohorts, Brynaert and Rauhauser, have continued to duck service and have never answered the lawsuit, despite their actual knowledge, and default judgment motions have now been filed against them - a major step forward.

While this case is making progress, there is much more to do. Kimberlin and company have many other victims and the tactics they've mastered will certainly be used by others to silence and harass their critics.

To support the cost of pro bono representation of Aaron Walker and other victims, RightSolutions, a 501c3, has launched the Bloggers Defense Team to raise tax-deductible contributions to continue fighting back, and is underwriting the costs of the Virginia state lawsuit and another Maryland Federal lawsuit.

Victims are also calling upon members of Congress and the Department of Justice to form an FBI task force to coordinate law enforcement resources to investigate not only the SWATtings, but the Lawfare and continued and potentially illegal harassment activities aimed at silencing speech and political opinion.

The internet should be the ultimate "marketplace of ideas" where all are free to share opinions without threat of legal harassment, cyber-bullying, or real world threats.

For more information, or to donate to the Blogger's Defense Team, go to http://BloggersDefenseTeam.com

Pursuing Brett Kimberlin & Allies in Court; Litigation Moves Forward

For Immediate Release

8/8/2012

Blogger & journalist Aaron Walker is continuing his fight for bloggers' freedom of speech with his lawsuit against Brett Kimberlin and his allies, with significant new developments underway. Mr. Kimberlin has engaged in a series of harassing legal maneuvers - "Lawfare" - to silence his new media critics. These tactics have included filing numerous "peace orders" in an attempt to have Courts silence journalists, Bar complaints to cost his foes their professions, and harassing communications to employers of bloggers and even to employers of their spouses. Kimberlin's associates have also been suspected of much more nefarious forms of harassment, including the growing, dangerous tactic known as "SWATting" in which a caller contacts the police falsely claiming there is an emergency at the victims home that requires armed intervention. In fact, several conservative bloggers that criticized Kimberlin have endured this evil ploy over the past year. Most recently Aaron Walker was anonymously SWATted mere hours after a Maryland court lifted an unconstitutional prior restraint on his freedom of speech.

In January, Aaron Walker sued Brett Kimberlin and his associates, Ron Brynaert and Neal Rauhauser, in Virginia, on charges of defamation, state and federal extortion, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. After having been sidelined by a barrage of Kimberlin legal harassment in Maryland - which led to a temporary and wholly unconstitutional Court order silencing Walker's blogging - the Virginia litigation is now continuing. Written discovery has been served on Kimberlin, with a response due in short order. His cohorts, Brynaert and Rauhauser, attempted to duck service and never answered the lawsuit, despite their actual knowledge, and default judgment motions have now been filed against them - a major step forward.

While this case is making progress, there is much more to do. Kimberlin and company have many other victims and the tactics they've mastered will certainly be used by others to silence and harass their critics.

To support the cost of pro bono representation of Aaron Walker and other victims, RightSolutions, a 501c3, has launched the Bloggers Defense Team to raise tax-deductible contributions to continue fighting back, and is underwriting the costs of the Virginia state lawsuit and another Maryland Federal lawsuit.

Victims are also calling upon members of Congress and the Department of Justice to form an FBI task force to coordinate law enforcement resources to investigate not only the SWATtings, but the Lawfare and continued and potentially illegal harassment activities aimed at silencing speech and political opinion.

The internet should be the ultimate "marketplace of ideas" where all are free to share opinions without threat of legal harassment, cyber-bullying, or real world threats.

For more information, or to donate to the Blogger's Defense Team, go to http://BloggersDefenseTeam.com

Bloggers Defense Team Launches Website, Raises $6000 towards Defense of Aaron Walker And Others Against Lawfare

For Immediate Release

7/9/2012

Right Solutions, an independent 501c3, announces today the launch of a new website for its project to defend free speech and the rights of bloggers via the courts: http://BloggersDefenseTeam.com.

Led by attorneys Dan Backer and Steve Hoersting, The Bloggers Defense Team has already launched its initial legal salvos in defense of Aaron Walker, who has been the victim of lawfare and cyber-harassment at the hands of Brett Kimberlin, convicted domestic bomber and felon. Walker has been the target of multiple lawsuits for his writing about Kimberlin (a public figure), and was even briefly jailed for daring to engage in free speech journalism. While this miscarriage of justice in Maryland state court was promptly overturned, Aaron Walker's fight continues unabated, as the freedoms of blogger journalists across America are still threatened.

In just two weeks since its launch, BDT has already filed a Federal complaint against Kimberlin and his unsavory lawfare tactics, raised over $6,000.00 in online donations and launched its informational website to reach out to the general public. The Team has also filed a federal lawsuit in Maryland with local attorney Bruce Godfrey, and is preparing for additional legal action in Virginia, and nationwide, on behalf of other bloggers seeking help to defend their free speech.

The Bloggers Defense Team also continues to seek out and offer aid to others who may have been the victims of online harassment, lawfare, or other attempts to attack their free speech rights - which is an attack on every American's free speech.

For consideration of aid, media interviews, or other information, please contact the Blogger's Defense Team: bloggersdefense at bloggersdefenseteam dot com.

Disclaimer: Vigilantist retaliation or threats to do so can be illegal. If you suspect that you are the victim of lawfare, cybersmears, or other forms of free-speech harassment, do not take matters into your own hands. Do not contact in any way the person or persons you suspect of committing these crimes; instead, contact law enforcement and your attorney to deal with the matter in a legal and responsible way.

Contact: bloggersdefense at bloggersdefenseteam dot com

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