Federal Court Grants Summary Judgment for Miguel Sanchez in First Amendment Case

A federal judge has granted summary judgment to Providence City Councilor Miguel Sanchez in his First Amendment lawsuit against Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee and senior members of the governor’s staff.

Mr. Sanchez was serving both as a Providence city councilor and as a constituent services staffer in the governor’s office when he posted comments on social media calling for a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas and condemning attacks on civilians. While the post was noted by five citizens and three media outlets (two only after a single newspaper article), the governor’s office fired him.

The court concluded that Mr. Sanchez spoke as a private citizen on a matter of public concern and his speech was thus protected by the First Amendment. It also found that his posts did not create the kind of disruption that justified his termination. As the court observed, the firing itself generated substantially more public and press attention than the posts.

Gene Schaerr, Edward H. Trent and Miranda Cherkas Sherrill of Schaerr | Jaffe represents Mr. Sanchez. The ruling resolves liability; a trial will determine damages and injunctive relief.

The decision underscores the First Amendment protections public employees retain when they speak as private citizens on matters of public concern.