American goes to court saying honking is freedom of speech

Unnecessary honking is a criminal offense not only here, but also in the American state of California. However, a 69-year-old woman believes that honking is free expression and is taking the matter to court.

Susan Porter was fined in 2017 for driving past her congressman’s office while honking loudly to signal her support. And she doesn’t agree with that at all.

Horn of the First Amendment

Porter believes that honking should be protected as free speech under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Because, she says, “the car horn is the sound of democracy in action.”

I’ve been working on the business for years

Typical American ridiculous nonsense, but someone has been working on Mrs. Porter’s case for years. This is David Loy, Legal Director of the First Amendment Coalition.

“Who doesn’t honk at someone to say hello, or at a protesting crowd on the street corner to show their support? Everyone does that, right? For decades.”

Just a warning

Well, yes, but according to the traffic laws of at least forty-one American states, honking is only permitted as a warning. Although there are probably few officials who will enforce this.

To the Supreme Court

Ms. Porter and David Loy care so much about the right to honk that they went all the way to the Supreme Court. The nine top judges will soon deliver their verdict.