John,

BREAKING NEWS: A federal judge this week approved a sweeping settlement in a lawsuit brought by voting rights advocates against Tennessee-based private security contractor Atlas Aegis for illegal voter intimidation in Minnesota. The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) and the League of Women Voters of Minnesota (LWV-MN) celebrated the settlement as a major victory for democracy.

Free Speech For People was proud to file this case on behalf of CAIR-MN and LWV-MN in October. Our complaint cited an advertisement for armed security on election day in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area that appeared on job posting websites on October 6, 2020, as well as interviews with Atlas Aegis’ chairman in the Washington Post confirming the authenticity of the advertisements and threatening to send ex-special forces soldiers to guard polling places in Minnesota from “antifas” and those who support “Black Lives Matter.”

Our ability to win cases like this and to hold these actors accountable for attacking our democracy is made possible by you, our supporters. But our fight is far from over. We need to do everything in our power to ensure that every American can vote freely and without fear.

Chip in today to help us ensure that every American can safely exercise an equal voice and equal vote in our democracy.

The consent decree approved by the federal court resolves all remaining claims in the lawsuit. Under the consent decree, which lasts until January 1, 2025, Atlas Aegis and its chairman are: 

• Prohibited from deploying armed agents within 250 feet of (or otherwise monitoring) any early voting location during early voting, a polling place on election day, places where ballots are being counted, recounted, or canvassed; or where county canvassing boards or the State Canvassing Board are meeting to canvass, inspect, or declare the results of that election; or where Minnesota’s presidential electors are meeting to vote in the presidential general election.

• Prohibited from otherwise taking any action to intimidate, threaten, or coerce voters, people aiding voters, or people engaged in tabulating, counting, or reporting votes.

• Required to notify CAIR-MN and LWV-MN in writing 25 days before any federal election if they are supplying security personnel for any non-election-related protective services (e.g., providing security for an art exhibition or concert) where armed security personnel may be visible to the public within 250 feet of a polling place on election day.

The 2020 election and its aftermath tested our ability to hold free and fair elections and a peaceful transfer of power. This consent decree will help ensure that Minnesotans can vote without fear of intimidation, and we hope it will prevent such attempts in future elections nationwide.

Chip in to help us fight voter intimidation in future elections across the country.

Thanks for all you do,

John Bonifaz

President, Free Speech For People