Internet Filter Lawsuit Pending in WA Supreme Court

State court to hear NCRL Internet filter lawsuit
By Rachel Schleif
World staff writer
Posted June 22, 2009

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Supreme Court will hear arguments Tuesday over whether an Internet filter at the North Central Regional Library System violates freedom of speech rights.

"Several libraries are really looking at it close and holding their breath," NCRL Director Dean Marney said. "The state librarian is going to be there. How many times does a library get to the Supreme Court level?"

The American Civil Liberties Union sued the regional library system in 2006 on behalf of three North Central Washington residents and a pro-gun organization who say the library’s Internet filter policy violated their state and federal freedom of speech rights.

The lawsuit was originally filed in federal court. A federal judge referred part of the case to the state Supreme Court, which will decide whether the policy is lawful under the state constitution, said ACLU spokesman Doug Honig.

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