By Peter Weinberger | pweinberger@claremont-courier.com

At the Claremont Courier, we believe deeply in the power of a free press. It’s not just our job — it’s our purpose. And it’s protected by one of the most essential rights we have as Americans: the First Amendment.

The First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, the right to protest, and the right to challenge our government. These rights are not just abstract principles — they are living promises that shape how we engage with each other, our communities, and our country.

And these freedoms are under real threat.

Across the country, we’ve seen:

• Attempts to criminalize protests, including laws passed in several states that increase penalties for demonstrators.
• Federal government use of state National Guard and U.S. Marines to ignite what started as peaceful protests in Los Angeles. Then mixed with misinformation, lying about how it started.
• Legislation restricting what educators can say about race, gender, and history in the classroom, raising concerns about censorship and limiting open discussion in public institutions.
• Threats to press freedom, including government officials denying journalists access to public information, and in some cases, the seizure of reporters’ materials or arrests during protests. Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi was shot in the leg with a rubber bullet while reporting live on camera during the Immigration and Customs Enforcement protests in Los Angeles.

As a local, independent newspaper and news website, we see every day how vital, accurate, fair journalism impacts Claremont. We tell the stories that matter to residents, hold public institutions accountable, and give voice to those who are too often left out of the conversation.

A National Guardsmen, summoned to Los Angeles by President Trump, shot Australian television journalist Lauren Tomasi in the leg with a rubber bullet on June 8 while she was reporting live during ICE immigration protests. Smoke at left obscures the soldier who fired at the reporter. Photo/by 9News, Australia

Journalism this fall
In September, the Courier will publish a special edition dedicated to free speech and the First Amendment, featuring in-depth coverage of how these rights are being tested nationally and locally. There will also be related news stories published in the regular editions of the Courier for the remainder of the year.

Our goal is to establish an open dialogue with the Claremont community about our rights, and to explore solutions for being heard without fear or intimidation, all in support of free speech and the First Amendment.

It’s time to be open and honest about what’s happening in our country and to look at ways to help support our democracy for future generations.

If you have thoughts or questions, please email pweinberger@claremont-courier.com.