ADC Opposes Rep. Randy Fine’s Latest Attempt to Dismiss First Amendment Lawsuit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 13, 2026
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Washington, D.C. | The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) filed its opposition to Rep. Randy Fine’s latest attempt to dismiss Palestinian-American tech entrepreneur Amjad Masad’s First Amendment lawsuit. ADC argues Rep. Fine cannot avoid judicial review by changing course only after being sued and is asking the Court to let the case proceed.

ADC President and Legal Director Jenin Younes said, “Rep. Fine cannot violate the First Amendment, rewrite his social media policy after being sued, and then ask the Court to walk away. Rep. Fine’s promises are legally unenforceable and clearly made to evade this litigation. Constitutional rights cannot depend on the discretion of the government official accused of violating them. Our client is entitled to an enforceable judgment that protects his First Amendment rights.”

While the motion practice is ongoing, the court in Florida’s Middle District has ordered mediation scheduled for later this month. Although the court has agreed to permit Mr. Fine to send his chief-of-staff to mediation in his stead for the first session, it also has stated that if mediation is unsuccessful, it may order additional in-person mediation requiring Rep. Fine’s attendance.

The lawsuit stems from Rep. Fine’s decision to block Masad from his official @repfine X account after Masad responded to one of Rep. Fine’s posts. On February 15, Rep. Fine wrote, “If they force us to choose, the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one.” Masad responded, “Are you talking about what’s for lunch?” Rep. Fine then blocked Masad and hid his response, excluding him from the public conversation in violation of the First Amendment.

Since ADC’s lawsuit, Rep. Fine has unblocked Masad and changed his social media moderation policy twice. He first adopted a new policy pledging not to block users after litigation commenced , and later  revised the policy  following the Court’s June 22 order, providing additional assurances not to block users based on viewpoint.

In an earlier order, the court declared that the case was not moot because “[t]he timing of Defendant unblocking Plaintiff and creating his social media policy is a clear indication that Defendant was trying to rid himself of this litigation.” The court also emphasized that Rep. Fine’s policy remains entirely under his control and that he could “reverse course with the click of a button.”  

ADC maintains that although Rep. Fine has attempted to provide additional promises not to block in the future, the court’s initial finding remains applicable.

“A government official should not be able to shut a member of the public out of an official forum, undo it only after being sued, and then claim there is nothing left for a court to decide,” said Malak Afaneh, ADC Staff Attorney. “A self-imposed policy that Rep. Fine remains free to change is no substitute for an enforceable resolution protecting Masad’s First Amendment rights.” 

ADC is seeking a judicial declaration and injunctive relief preventing Rep. Fine from blocking Mr. Masad in the future.

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About ADC

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC)is the largest Arab American grassroots organization in the United States, founded in 1980 by former Senator James Abourezk.  ADC’s mission is to defend and promote the human rights, civil rights, and liberties of at least 3.7 million Arab Americans residing in the United States. Through its work, ADC fights discrimination, enhances public understanding of Arab history and culture, and partners with marginalized communities globally to advance social justice.