The libertarian Cato Institute advocates for liberty, free markets and limited government.
The American Civil Liberties Union is mostly on the opposite side in political disputes.
However, the two organizations are joining forces in a case that could set a precedent regarding free speech in Michigan.
It’s about the state’s prosecution of former pastor Keith Wood for handing out brochures about jury rights on a public sidewalk in front of the Mecosta County courthouse in November 2015 in Big Rapids, Michigan.
Officials charged him with a misdemeanor and a felony. While the felony count was dismissed, he was convicted on the misdemeanor for exercising his First Amendment rights, and his case is before the state Court of Appeals.
“It is difficult to overstate the extent to which the decision below, upholding the conviction of Keith Eric Wood, strikes at the core of the First Amendment,” Cato wrote.
“Mr. Wood was arrested and convicted for
