Lawyer: “Now” Makes The Difference In Case Involving Woman’s Threat Against Police

Ebony Monique Dickens, an African-American woman living in Georgia, posted on Facebook that she was going to kill at least 15 white cops "tomorrow."  When police arrived at her home, they confiscated her computers and a loaded gun, according to USA Today.

Prior to the authorities' arrival, Dickens claimed in a subsequent Facebook post that the First Amendment protected her threat, but a judge later disagreed.  A lawyer quoted in the article said it was Dickens' use of words like "now" that crossed the line.  Derek Gage said "Those words tend to suggest imminent lawless action. And she clearly recognizes that powder keg situation that does exist, not just in Baltimore, but around the country."

Naturally, at 97.5 NOW FM we know the power of the word "now."  We're playing songs that are hot right now, we're playing them right now, we're talking about important things that are happening right now, etc...

But do you agree with Gage that the word "now" changes the position of the threat from I want to to I will?

Do you think Dickens' words on Facebook are protected free speech?

Dickens was released on $10,000 bond.  Her social media accounts have been frozen as a condition of her release.