Ohio-based lawyer Andrea Burton has filed a federal lawsuit against Judge Robert Milich and his colleague Judge Elizabeth Kobly of the Youngstown Municipal Court over an incident last month in which she was sentenced to five days in jail for wearing a Black Lives Matter badge to court. Judge Milich found Ms Burton in contempt of court after she refused to remove the pin when asked, citing a US Supreme Court ruling banning political buttons in courtrooms. However, Ms Burton’s lawsuit argues that the decision violated her First Amendment right to free speech.

‘Neutral’ decision

Black Lives Matter is a movement that has developed in response to police brutality against black individuals and communities in the United States, and is not affiliated with any mainstream political party. ‘I am not neutral in justice,’ commented Ms Burton after the incident, adding that ‘to remain neutral becomes an accomplice of oppression.’ Judge Milich, however, maintains that his decision to hand Ms Burton jail time was an ‘objective’ response to her wearing the pin, which he argues was ‘just in violation of the law.’

Sources: New York Daily News; Yahoo