ACLU of Florida Names Rep. Carlos Trujillo “Defender of Freedom”
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2011 Press Releases
ACLU of Florida Names Rep. Carlos Trujillo “Defender of Freedom”
REP. TRUJILLO GIVEN INAUGURAL WEEKLY AWARD FOR
OPPOSITION TO HB155 ON CONSTITUTIONAL GROUNDS
March 11, 2011
CONTACT: ACLU of Florida Media Office, (786) 363-2737 or media@aclufl.org
TALLAHASSEE – The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida (ACLUFL) today announced that Rep. Carlos Trujillo (R-Miami) received the first “Defender of Freedom” award for the 2011 Legislative Session for his vote and comments in opposition to House Bill 155 which would restrict the rights of doctors and other medical service providers to speak to their patients about firearms in the home.
“Rep. Trujillo showed courage in speaking up for the Constitutional protections of free speech and opposing a bill which places government restrictions on the content of speech,” said Danielle Prendergast, ACLUFL Director of Public Policy. “The Constitution needs defenders and we are happy to recognize and reward those who stand up to protect freedom.”
This is the first “Defender of Freedom” award. The award will be presented weekly during the Florida Legislative Session to the lawmaker or other leader who displays public courage and defends constitutional freedoms in public policy.
On Tuesday, March 8, Rep. Trujillo voted “no” on HB155 and in debate raised “constitutional concerns” and warned that the state was “going down a dangerous road” with the bill’s proposed interference with protected free speech rights. Trujillo went further in telling members of the Criminal Justice Subcommittee that HB155 may not pass the “strict scrutiny” and “least restrictive” tests required by the United States Supreme Court when the government attempts to limit or restrict speech.
Criminal penalties were removed from the bill and fines were lowered from $5 million to $10,000 during the March 8 hearing. Despite Rep. Trujillo’s debate and vote, HB155 passed the Criminal Justice Subcommittee, as amended, on 9-6 vote. The bill is scheduled next in the House Committee on Health and Human Services.
