By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-919397.mp3
LANSING, MI –
A Facebook page has pushed lawmakers at the state Capitol to approve a measure to protect First Amendment rights to complain about businesses.
AUDIO:
The Facebook page was started by a Western Michigan University student to complain about a Kalamazoo towing company. And he got overwhelming support from people who said they also had problems with the company. But the towing company is now suing the student for three-quarters of a million dollars.
State Representative Kate Ebli says judges should be allowed to throw out those types of lawsuits.
"We have First Amendment rights in this country," she declares. "And unfortunately in Michigan there are businesses that will tromp on those rights merely by intimidating."
The House approved a bill that would prevent these types of lawsuits from going anywhere in the future. The bill now moves to the state Senate. Meanwhile, the student from Western remains tied up in litigation over his Facebook page.