Judge Dismisses Charges Against CT Activist in Major Free-Speech Victory

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - EntSun -- The Visibility Brigade celebrates a landmark victory for free expression after all charges were dismissed against Katherine Hinds, a Connecticut activist twice arrested for peacefully displaying political messages on a highway overpass.

Hinds' case drew national attention after Connecticut State Police charged her with trespassing and later re-arrested her at her home in what many viewed as a retaliatory act over a social-media post. On Monday, a New Haven Superior Court judge dismissed all charges, affirming that Hinds had acted within her First Amendment rights.

"This ruling is not just about one activist, it's about the right of every American to speak out peacefully and publicly," said Dana Glazer, one of the leaders of the Visibility Brigade Movement. "Katherine's courage, and the solidarity shown by our Connecticut chapters, remind us that nonviolent expression remains the cornerstone of democracy."

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Throughout the ordeal, Hinds was represented by the ACLU of Connecticut and a team of pro bono attorneys. Her case follows a pattern of escalating pushback from law enforcement against peaceful protestors, as previously reported by CT Insider, CT Public, and The Connecticut Post.

According to investigative reporting by CT Public Radio, multiple Connecticut residents have faced intimidation and arrests for displaying political messages on overpasses, actions protected under the Constitution. This dismissal sets a vital precedent reaffirming those rights.

"When the law is used to silence dissent, democracy is already in danger," said Hinds after the ruling. "But when people stand together and refuse to be intimidated, justice still has a chance."

The Visibility Brigade Movement applauds the decision as a turning point for activist safety and free speech.

"From Connecticut to California, ordinary citizens are standing up, often quite literally, for democracy," added Glazer. "We'll continue to do so with the same resolve and creativity that brought us here."

https://www.visibilitybrigade.com/