The US Supreme Court recently heard two cases, one from a pregnancy resource center, First Choice, seeking to protect their donor's privacy, and another from a pastor, Gabriel Olivier, who was punished for preaching in public. Although these cases appear to be straightforward complaints defending constitutionally protected rights, since both defendants filed their cases under Section 1983 of the U.S. Code, if both First Choice and Olivier lose, the right of every citizen to defend their rights in court could be at stake.

The US Supreme Court's decisions in these cases will set an important precedent for future complaints involving the defense of our First Amendment rights. The government cannot infringe on our constitutionally protected freedoms. Hopefully, our nation's highest court agrees.