Justices weigh free speech case involving ‘Arctic Man’ event

Justices weigh free speech case involving ‘Arctic Man’ event

  • By JESSICA GRESKO Associated Press
  • Monday, November 26, 2018 10:10pm
  • News

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Monday waded into a freedom of speech case resulting from an arrest at Arctic Man, a snowmobile and ski race event that draws thousands to a remote campsite in Alaska.

Justices heard arguments in a case with the potential to affect people who might sue police over claims they were arrested as retaliation for something they said or wrote that’s protected by the First Amendment.

Justice Samuel Alito described the possible cases as ranging from someone who is arrested after insulting an officer arriving at the scene of a dispute to a journalist who writes a story critical of a police department and is later pulled over for speeding.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Alaska resident Russell Bartlett was arrested at the 2014 Arctic Man, a dayslong event held annually in Alaska’s remote Hoodoo Mountains. Chief Justice John Roberts noted that policing Arctic Man is a challenge. He described the event as “10,000 mostly drunk people in the middle of nowhere” and only a handful of Alaska troopers.

The sides dispute whether Bartlett was drunk, but he was arrested for disorderly conduct after exchanging words with two troopers investigating underage drinking. Bartlett first declined to talk to one trooper and later loudly told a second to stop talking to a teenager.

The charges against Bartlett were ultimately dismissed because of budgetary constraints. But Bartlett sued, claiming his arrest was retaliation for comments he made to the officers. A trial court dismissed Bartlett’s lawsuit, saying he was barred from suing because officers had reasonable grounds to arrest him. An appeals course reversed that decision.

A ruling for Bartlett would make it easier to bring such cases, and on Monday several justices seemed interested in allowing at least some similar suits. Justice Stephen Breyer suggested what he called a compromise that would bar suits such as Bartlett’s when police have reasonable grounds for an arrest, unless there is “objective evidence” of retaliation.

Among the groups supporting Bartlett are numerous First Amendment and media organizations, including The Associated Press.

The case follows a similar one the justices heard last term involving a man arrested during a city council meeting in Riviera Beach, Florida. Like Bartlett, Fane Lozman claimed his arrest was retaliation, in his case for being an outspoken critic of the city. The court sided with Lozman, but the ruling doesn’t apply to a broad set of cases.

The case is 17-1174, Nieves v. Bartlett.

More in News

Member Tom Tougas, far right, speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Tourism Industry Working Group in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Tourism working group rejects bed tax, recommends seasonal sales tax adjustment

The document includes a section that says the borough could alternatively leave its tax structure exactly as it is.

The rescued sea otter pup looks at the camera in this undated picture, provided by the Alaska SeaLife Center. (Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center)
Stranded otter pup rescued from Homer beach

She is estimated to be around 2 months old and was found alone by concerned beach walkers.

Kenai Peninsula College Director Cheryl Siemers speaks to graduates during the 55th commencement ceremony at Kachemak Bay Campus on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Kenai Peninsula College leadership sees temporary transitions

KPC Director Cheryl Siemers is serving as interim UAA chancellor, while former KBC director Reid Brewer fills in her role.

Ash-Lee Waddell (center) of Homer is one of six recipients of the 2025 First Lady’s Volunteer Award at the Governor’s Residence in Juneau, Alaska, on May 13, 2025. Photo courtesy of the Office of the Governor
First lady honors Alaska volunteers

Volunteers from Homer and Nikiski were recognized.

The front of the Kenai Police Department as seen on Dec. 10, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Update: Middle schooler reported missing found after 24-hour search

The student was seen leaving Kenai Middle School at around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The Oceania Riviera stands out against a bluebird sky at the Homer Harbor on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. Over 1200 passengers from aboard the boat explored Homer throughout the beautiful day. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Homer tourism season kicks off with arrival of cruise ships

The first cruise ship of the season arrived April 28 with 930 passengers.

tease
‘Tomorrow — remember you are still a learner’

Kachemak Bay Campus graduated 49 students during its 55th annual commencement hosted on May 7.

Mt. Redoubt rises above Cook Inlet and the Anchor River drainage as fireweed is in bloom, as seen from Diamond Ridge Road on Friday, July 22, 2022, near Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Native plants provide lifeline for local songbirds

Shorebird Festival talk highlights importance of native plants.

Sterling Elementary School students collect trash from the banks of the Kenai River near Bing’s Landing in Sterling, Alaska, during the 10th Annual Kenai River Spring Cleanup on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Cleaning up the mess that’s left behind

Students from six local schools combed for litter during the 10th Annual Kenai River Spring Cleanup.

Most Read

You're browsing in private mode.
Please sign in or subscribe to continue reading articles in this mode.

Peninsula Clarion relies on subscription revenue to provide local content for our readers.

Subscribe

Already a subscriber? Please sign in