Artist's Free-Speech Battle Against Smithsonian Director Kim Sajet Continues After SCOTUS Ruling

WASHINGTON - March 22, 2024 - PRLog -- Artist and author Julian Raven's ongoing legal battle for free speech rights against Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery Director Kim Sajet has reached a critical juncture in the wake of the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on March 15th, 2024, in the O'Connor-Ratcliff v. Garnier and Lindke v. Freed cases.

Raven, known for his unwavering commitment to artistic expression and truth, was embroiled in the second legal dispute after being blocked on Twitter by Kim Sajet in 2022. This action came in response to Raven's publication of his book 'Odious and Cerberus' exposing corruption within the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery and Sajet's involvement therein.

Having previously sued Sajet in the Trump portrait free speech case in 2016, which ultimately reached the U.S. Supreme Court, Raven faced an uphill battle as Chief Justice John Roberts recused himself due to his position as Chancellor of the Smithsonian Institution. Despite Raven's efforts, his case was denied a hearing.

In this latest round of free speech litigation, Raven's case against Sajet has seen new developments following the Supreme Court's rulings in other landmark free speech cases. The Smithsonian Institution, represented by the U.S. Department of Justice, had their motion to dismiss Raven's lawsuit denied, pending the outcomes of these pivotal decisions.

https://www.washingtonian.com/2022/09/28/former-pro-trump...

With the Department of Justice now required to reply to U.S. District Court under Judge C.R. Cooper by April 15th, Raven's fight for free speech rights stands on the precipice of resolution. As an artist and advocate for liberty, Raven remains steadfast in pursuing justice and protecting fundamental freedoms of expression. Will the court deny Raven's free speech right again at the People's Smithsonian Institution, or grant the artist his inalienable rights, contradicting the former ruling?

A leading law institute is considering representing Raven in this next litigation chapter, while Raven pursues his artistic endeavors from his Mediterranean studio in Marbella, Spain.