Facing a $750,000 lawsuit, Kurtz works to pass anti-SLAPP legislation

By Joe Stando
Western Herald

While many students relaxed this summer, things didn’t slow down for Western Michigan University aviation and flight sciences major, Justin Kurtz.

Kurtz, 21, gained international media attention after he was sued for $750,000 by local towing company, T&J ,for starting a Facebook group critical of the company’s practices.
While a court date still has not been set, Kurtz testified in July as part of a hearing on a law to prevent similar suits.

“It’s important legislation,” said Kurtz.

“People need to be able to speak their mind without worrying about ending up in a situation like me.”

The bill would protect against SLAPP suits, large-scale lawsuits filed to scare customers away from speaking out.

Kurtz said that while the bill was introduced before the case was filed against him, it was rewritten to include information from his case.

“With a current example, the proposal gained a lot of support,” Kurtz said.
“It passed the House and is waiting on the Senate.”

The court case has also become something of a rallying cry in anti-SLAPP movements, with support coming in from coast to coast.

“Obviously, I hope to win the case,” Kurtz said.

“But I also think it would be an important step in protecting free speech. I hope that anti-SLAPP laws are passed on not only a state, but also a federal level.”

Kurtz also spoke out against detractors who claimed he edited content on his Facebook group, which currently has over 14,000 members.

“I do not, nor have I ever censored any posts on the [Kalamazoo Residents against T&J Towing] Facebook group.”

Kurtz encouraged other WMU students to get involved.

“People should call their representatives in support of the anti-SLAPP legislation,” Kurtz said.

“Let people know this is an important issue to us. Get the ball rolling.”

Short URL: http://www.westernherald.com/?p=19820

Posted by HeraldAdmin on Sep 8 2010. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

Cody Kimball
Web Manager: I'm a Communication Student at WMU, a SCUBA Diver, Boater, Ordained Minister, Notary Public, Web Designer, Film Maker, DJ, and of course a Journalist. Born and raised in Port Huron, MI and a graduate of SC4. http://www.codykimball.com