An Arkansas state senator sued in federal court over blocking constituents from his social media accounts has agreed to settle with the organization American Atheists Inc., by unblocking critics from his social media accounts, according to news release Wednesday from American Atheists.
Jason Rapert, R-Conway, was sued in federal court on behalf of four Arkansans by the American Atheists organization in a lawsuit filed Jan. 8, 2019, more than 3 1/2 years ago.
The lawsuit states the senator violated the U.S. and Arkansas constitutions by blocking members of the organization from accessing his official Twitter and Facebook accounts. The four contended they were blocked because of criticism they had posted in the past of Rapert’s policies and because of their religious views.
Rapert has characterized the lawsuit previously as “frivolous” and motivated by politics.
According to Wednesday’s news release, as part of the agreement, the state of Arkansas will pay American Atheists more than $16,000 for reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses related to the lawsuit. Rapert will immediately unblock his atheist constituents from his official social media accounts, the lawsuit states, and will restore their ability to communicate directly with the state senator and fellow constituents.
The release said if Rapert decides to block the plaintiffs before he leaves office, he will be required to provide American Atheists with written documentation showing possible wrongdoing.
The senator was defeated in his bid for lieutenant governor and will leave the Legislature when his term expires at the end of the year.