In a turn that reaffirms our First Amendment rigidity, Fort Worth city officials have instructed the restoration of the True Texas Project event at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden (FWBG), initially canceled by the Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT). According to the City of Fort Worth, the event that was set to unfold on July 12-13 will now proceed as initially planned.
Rooted in the principles of free speech, this decision underscores that the City's property, which is owned by the City of Fort Worth and managed by BRIT on its behalf, must open its doors to all viewpoints. Posted on the City of Fort Worth was a statement by Reyne Telles, the City’s Chief Communications Officer, explaining, "Allowing differing viewpoints to speak at our government properties should not be confused with the City supporting the viewpoint of this or any speaker", Telles conveyed appreciation for the "individuals who have taken the time to share their thoughts on the matter".
Historically, the Supreme Court has taken a hard line against censoring speech based on its content or viewpoint, reinforcing that even speech that may be discriminatory or offensive falls under First Amendment protection. City Attorney Leann Guzman distilled the essence of countless rulings by stating, as per the City of Fort Worth, "In other words, free speech, even hate speech is protected speech under the First Amendment".
Different facilities in the City of Fort Worth exercise different controls over the speech that occurs within their walls. While spaces like the Will Rogers Memorial Center or the Fort Worth Convention Center have leeway in speech regulation thanks to private vendors, entities like the FWBG adhere strictly to First Amendment protections. Working to ensure that safety remains a top priority without impinging upon access rights, the City of Fort Worth, as per their statement, "cannot restrict access to the facility, it can and will prioritize safety." In alignment with security considerations, the True Texas Project is required to meet the security measures deemed necessary by the Fort Worth Police Department.
