WASHINGTON (CN) - The Federal Circuit held that the Department of Veterans Affairs may ban political activity and demonstrations at VA hospitals. Steven Preminger, chairman of the Santa Clara County, Calif., Democratic Central Committee, and his attorney were booted from the
Preminger challenged a VA restriction on unauthorized demonstrations, which are defined as "partisan activities" meant to support, oppose or influence the policy of the government or any other private group or business. Preminger failed to show that the "partisan activities" clause poses a real and substantial threat to his free-speech rights, the circuit concluded. It held that veteran hospitals, which often have public areas, are not public forums for First Amendment activity because the VA "must be able to maintain a place of healing and rehabilitation for veterans." See ruling in .
Subscribe to Closing Arguments
Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.