St. Lawrence SLAPP lawsuit attempts to send chill in Ramapo politics

July 1, 2009  Definition: "A Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation ("SLAPP") is a lawsuit that is intended
to intimidate and silence critics by burdening them with the cost of a legal defense until they abandon their
criticism or opposition. Winning the lawsuit is not necessarily the intent of the person filing the SLAPP.
The plaintiff's goals are accomplished if the defendant succumbs to fear, intimidation, mounting legal costs or
simple exhaustion and abandons the criticism. A SLAPP may also intimidate others from participating in the debate."
 

The definition is from a Wikipedia article. The author adds, "According to New York Supreme Court Judge J. Nicholas Colabella, "Short of a gun to the head, a greater threat to First Amendment expression can scarcely be imagined."

In today's Journal News the following letter was printed on the editorial pages:

Lawsuit sends chill in Ramapo politics

July 1, 2009

I have known Bruce Levine for more than 25 years as a professional colleague. He is honest, sincere and intelligent. But he has made a serious mistake by deciding to challenge Ramapo's Tammany Hall. His error is due to a certain character trait called idealism. He does not realize that self-interest, not public interest, is the rule in Ramapo.

Christopher St. Lawrence has such a nice smile and a seemingly warm personality. But then I read in this newspaper that he has sued Mr. Levine for defamation, in connection with the race for supervisor. ("Ramapo supervisor sues Democratic competitors," June 23.) At Harvard, did Mr. St. Lawrence ever hear about the First Amendment? Has he ever read Jefferson? Does he realize that democracy requires discourse, and disclosures?

It may be that Mr. St. Lawrence rules Ramapo. If the Democratic and Republican party machines both back him, and so too the "bloc vote," what real chance does any challenger have? But idealists will at least try.

However, Mr. Levine and his running mates must now wage not only a political campaign, but also pay to oppose a lawsuit personally directed at them, with an exposure to pay damages. This attacks their families. This baseless lawsuit is vicious and wrong. It is chilling to the candidates, and chilling to the free speech that citizens need in order to cast an informed vote. This is not how democracy should work in America, nor in Ramapo.

Mike Diederich Jr.
Stony Point

Don't forget to cast your vote for the First Amendment on September 15 in the Democratic Primary