7th Circuit Dockets YouTuber's Appeal to Block Enforcement of Ind. ‘Buffer Law’

The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals docketed Donald Nicodemus' appeal against the state of Indiana and the city of South Bend as case number 24-1099, said the court’s docketing notice Tuesday. Nicodemus is challenging the district court’s denial of his request for a permanent injunction that would have blocked Indiana from enforcing HB-1186, the state’s “buffer law” (see 2401160011). HB-1186, which took effect July 1, makes it a misdemeanor to approach within 25 feet of police officers on active duty. Nicodemus periodically livestreams police encounters on his YouTube channel. On July 20, South Bend police moved him back from a shooting investigation in town, referencing HB-1186 while he continued to film. Nicodemus argues that HB-1186 violates the First Amendment because it is “facially overbroad.”