Federal officers have warned two upstate New York residents regarding their online criticisms of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The incidents involve David Streever from Rochester and Paigelynne Gonyea, a poll worker from Syracuse.
Streever’s Account
David Streever, represented by attorney Adam Steinbaugh, was traveling in Finland when federal officers visited his home. They served a warning to his wife about an email he sent months earlier. Streever’s email, addressed to Todd Lyons, the former acting director of ICE, was sent in January after an ICE officer fatally shot Renee Good in Minneapolis during a protest.
The way you are protecting the obvious execution in Minnesota, even as we see the videos, will lead to your downfall.
Streever’s email accused Lyons of being “a monstrous human being” and predicted that he would “never know peace.” ICE has refrained from commenting further, citing an ongoing investigation.
Legal Standpoint
Steinbaugh contends that Streever’s email constitutes protected speech under the First Amendment. He argues that a true threat involves a serious intent to commit violence, which is absent in this instance. Steinbaugh emphasizes that the email reflects political speech, a form of petitioning the government.
Streever has not communicated with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security since receiving the warning, nor does he intend to do so.
Gonyea’s Encounter
Gonyea was approached by federal officers at her voting location during New York’s primaries. The warning pertained to a social media post she made about Jonathan Ross, the ICE officer who shot Good. In her post, Gonyea suggested that Ross should face indictment.
Lauren Bis, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, stated that Gonyea might have committed a federal crime by sharing Ross’s address online, even though part of the post was redacted.
Concerns About Free Speech
The New York Attorney General’s Office is aware of the federal officers’ interactions with Streever and Gonyea. Free speech advocates have criticized these actions, considering them a potential violation of privacy and free expression. Nathan Freed Wessler from the ACLU emphasized that it’s improper for federal agents to target individuals for expressing dissatisfaction with government actions.
Wessler stated, “This is an abuse of power and a gross attempt to chill Americans’ constitutionally protected speech.”
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