AN 11-JUDGE PANEL, OF THE 9TH U.S. CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS HAS AGREED TO RE-HEAR A LAWSUIT BY A SANTA CRUZ MAN. ACTIVIST ROBERT NORSE CLAIMED HIS FREE SPEECH RIGHTS WERE VIOLATED IN 2002 WHEN HE WAS ARRESTED AFTER HE PERFORMED A NAZI SALUTE AT A SANTA CRUZ CITY COUNCIL MEETING. SANTA CRUZ CITY OFFICIALS FELT THE SALUTE WAS PART OF AN ORGANIZED EFFORT TO DISRUPT THE MEETING.
THE 11 JUDGE PANEL RULED TODAY TO REINSTATE THE LAWSUIT, BECAUSE THE TRIAL JUDGE NEEDS TO HEAR MORE EVIDENCE.
