Two California cities have settled a lawsuit with the representatives Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene after mistakenly canceling their 2021 rallies.

The two members of Congress won a lawsuit against Anaheim, Riverside and the operator of the Riverside Convention Center and will be paid $50,000 by each side, totaling $150,000. The lawsuit was filed in July 2023.

“We are pleased to announce that we have reached an agreement with the cities of Riverside and Anaheim, California, and Raincross Hospitality Management Corp,” said Gaetz and Taylor Greene. Newsweek. “In 2021, we both had our First Amendment rights trampled upon when leftist city council members conspired to cancel our planned fundraiser and rally in California. Needless to say I didn’t give up on this session so I sued and I’ve now won, thank you for all your support and prayers!”

Phil Pitchford, public information officer for Riverside, said Newsweek that his city is dedicated to the First Amendment.

“The cities of Riverside and Anaheim are committed to upholding the First Amendment rights of all people and groups, regardless of opinion expressed or political affiliation, and welcome all individuals or organizations wishing to hold an event or rally in Riverside or Anaheim. ” Pitchford said.

Taylor Greene, who represents Georgia’s 14^th congressional district, posted at X, formerly known as Twitterthat “the victory for free speech against tyrannical government officials inspires all Americans.”

“Want to thank @mattgaetz for standing with me in this fight against the radical left,” Taylor Greene posted. “The fight for your values ​​is a fight worth fighting. Don’t back down. Don’t give up. You can win. I WILL win.”

The two congressmen had scheduled a rally at the city-owned Riverside Convention Center, which was later canceled after the convention’s operator, Raincross Hospitality Management Corporation, pulled out of the contract. Plans to hold a rally at the Grand Theater in Anaheim had also fallen through.

Gaetz, who is from Florida, and Taylor Greene ended up holding a “Peaceful Free Speech Protest” outside Riverside City Hall. More than 100 people attended, and counter-protesters held placards with phrases such as “No hate in our state”.

“The American people should never tolerate taxpayer-funded cities and elected officials silencing their free speech by taking away their right to protest or ability to gather to share their views,” they said Gaetz and Taylor Greene. Newsweek. “We hope our win in this lawsuit emboldens great Californians and patriots across the country and inspires everyone to never give up the fight to protect free speech.”

Greene also praised the former president Donald Trump at the rally, saying that “the press and the lying fake news media bullied and backstabbed him to make America hate him.”

A federal judge rejected the cities’ attempts to dismiss the case earlier this year. Judge Hernan D. Vera also ruled that the political advocacy groups that were sued in the case should be disbarred.

These groups included the Hispanic civil rights group California LULAC, AntiRacist Riverside, NAACP, League of Women Voters Riverside, Occupy DemocratsRiverside County Democratic Party and the Riverside Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Greene posted at the time that she and Gaetz would win and then “return to CA and hold America First rallies inviting all Californians who hate what the Democrats have done to their state and our country!”

America First Action was founded in 2017 as an affiliated super PAC of America First Politics. The group is meant to “build an America where opportunity is limitless – an America First where we all win.” The super PAC spent more than $40 million in August and September 2020 on advertising to support Trump’s re-election campaign in Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

There is also the America First Policy Institute, which is a right-wing think tank that works for “advanced policies” that are in line with conservative ideals. POLITICO and The New York Times reported that the group has become Trump’s “main partner” for his campaign this time around.

“We look forward to a victory for President Trump on November 5th and promise to return to California and hold that rally as planned!” Gaetz and Taylor Greene said Newsweek.