Case Status: Active
Advocate for Military Families Banned from Naval Base’s Facebook Page
Rodriguez v. Bohner
Sergio Rodriguez is a prominent advocate for military families. He is also a retired veteran and a military spouse. During a power outage at a naval base, he posted helpful information and criticized the Navy’s lack of response on the base’s official Facebook page. Naval officials then deleted his comments and blocked him from viewing and further posting on the public page.
Rodriguez’s Background as Advocate for Military Families
Rodriguez has received a Presidential commendation, the 2022 “Navy Spouse of the Year” award by Armed Forces Insurance, and other honors for his relentless advocacy for military families. Specifically, he focuses on improving housing conditions and advising military families on how to work within the military’s complex institutional systems to secure the support and accountability they deserve.
To stay informed about the needs of military families related to his advocacy, Rodriguez followed many official public Facebook pages dedicated to on-base housing, including Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay.
When the base community was affected by a brutal summertime power outage, Rodriguez offered relevant, helpful advice for affected families on how to get compensated for spoiled perishables and find emergency housing due to the heat and humidity.
Navy officials responded to his practical advice by blocking Rodriguez from the page and deleting all of his posts.
CIR is representing Rodriguez, arguing that these actions violate Rodriguez’s First Amendment rights to free speech and public criticism of government officials.
Background: What is the First Amendment Right to Free Speech?
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution prohibits the government from punishing or restricting a person’s expression because it disagrees with its content. These rules don’t change just because the speech is online.
The official naval base Facebook page is open to the public, and anyone is welcome to comment on all posts. Therefore, the base is required to allow all commenters—friends and critics alike—without censorship based on disagreement with the content of their speech. When the government opens a space for public discussion, even online, it can’t silence voices it doesn’t like. By blocking Rodriguez and deleting his comments, the Navy engaged in unconstitutional censorship of free speech.
Why This Case Matters
This case isn’t about one person or one post—it’s about protecting everyone’s right to speak freely in government forums, especially when that speech is aimed at helping others. Rodriguez’s First Amendment right to comment on government actions was violated when the naval officers banned him from the public page for expressing his views.
This case highlights the need for clear constitutional protections regarding free speech on digital platforms maintained by the government. As government agencies use emerging communication platforms—including social media sites like Facebook and X—they have an obligation to do so without trampling on citizens’ constitutional right to free speech.
Key Legal Issues:
- First Amendment Violation:
Rodriguez’s right to free speech is at the heart of this case. Rodriguez was speaking as a private citizen on a public platform, which he is entitled to do under the Constitution. - Government-Sponsored Censorship:
When a government entity operates a public forum, it must allow open discussion. The Navy’s decision to censor Rodriguez’s comments based solely on the content of his speech is a violation of government accountability to the people it serves. - Public Criticism of Government:
Rodriguez has spent years advocating for military families. The First Amendment protects his ability to criticize government officials and call attention to public issues without fear of retaliation or censorship.
