The Federal Government on October 1 shut down due to a lack of funding, with Democrats and Republicans squabbling and unable to come to terms on an agreement to keep Capitol Hill and agencies including the FCC fully open for business.
That’s not stopping Anna M. Gómez, the fiery lone Democrat on the Commission, from working. On Thursday, she’ll be at Ole Miss speaking out against GOP-fueled efforts she believes squelch freedom of speech.
Gómez’s Policy and Strategic Communications Advisor Jonathan Uriarte confirmed on Wednesday that Gómez “will still be participating” at a University of Mississippi event on Thursday afternoon as part of her so-called “First Amendment Tour.”
Gómez’s appearance is scheduled for 4:30pm Central and is viewable via Zoom.
The university is billing Gómez’s presence at the school under the title “Free Speech In Focus,” with the Commissioner prepared to discuss her views on a free press and the FCC’s role “in safeguarding democratic values,” while also listening to perspectives from the university community.
The Oxford Eagle, the daily newspaper serving the Mississippi city that is home to Ole Miss, offered coverage of the event in Monday’s editions.
“We are in a critical moment for First Amendment rights,” Gomez said in a statement ahead of the tour. “It is essential that we engage with the public about the role of the FCC and push back against efforts to weaponize the agency against speech and press freedoms.”
