#Rubi Freeman and Shaye Moss

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

A brief reflection on Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss.

December 16, 2023

ROBERT B. HUBBELL

As we begin a mid-December weekend, I offer this brief reflection on Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss.

Jury Awards Ruby Freemen and Shaye Moss $148 million in damages against Rudy Giuliani for defamation.

The damages award of $148 million against Rudy Giuliani encapsulates the madness, frustration, and perseverance that define the lives of millions of activists during the American era of The Big Lie. It is tempting to characterize Giuliani’s defamation of Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss and their hard-won victory as a metaphor for Trump's political arc over the last seven years.

But what happened to Freeman and Moss is not a metaphor. It is the cold, hard reality that slaps each of us in the face every day as we are assaulted by lies heaped upon lies. Not everyone is a direct victim of the lies like Freeman and Moss, but we are all victims, nonetheless.

The point of the lies is not (only) to injure Trump's enemies, it is to erode trust in the system until there are no guardrails left—hoping to create chaos in which the most depraved believe they have an advantage over those still ruled by conscience, decency, and fealty to the rule of law.

Trump and his enablers tell outlandish lies because they know that media outlets will dutifully repeat the lies in headlines and news alerts, reserving tepid skepticism for paragraphs buried deep in their coverage.

Direct victims like Freeman and Moss are viewed as expendable collateral damage. Their names and addresses are shared in dark corners of the web so Trump's followers can make threats even he dares not voice (in public).

The full weight of Trump's malevolent organization was directed at Freeman and Moss. But they did not buckle. Two women who were motivated to help fellow Georgians vote in a free and fair election stood their ground.

Their reputations were smeared by the sitting President of the United States, the Georgia legislature, Fox News, One America Network, Steve Bannon, Rudy Giuliani, and millions of users on Twitter, Facebook, and other social media platforms.

A preacher and a rap star’s publicist teamed up to urge them to falsely confess to non-existent crimes—saying it was the only way to stop the ugly death threats. The FBI’s unhelpful response was to advise them to “Move out of your homes.”

Despite tens of thousands of vile threats, no one was arrested, investigated, charged with crimes, or sued for defamation.

At least not at first.

But the guardrails held. Because Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss stood their ground.

Because they stood their ground, Democrats on the January 6 Committee allowed them to tell their story to the nation.

Because they stood their ground, the rap star’s publicist and the preacher were indicted in Fulton County, Georgia for “solicitation of false statements and influencing witnesses.”

Because they stood their ground, the former president was indicted for lying about the 2020 election. The indictment specifically alleged that the former president was responsible for the campaign to smear Freeman and Moss—lies that were part of his conspiracy to defraud the United States. (See indictment, ¶ 26.)

Then, Freeman and Moss sued Rudy Giuliani for defamation. He did his best to derail and delegitimize the civil claim for damages. But he failed. The guardrails held. All because Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss stood their ground.

Two women who wanted to help people vote in Georgia stood their ground against fancy lawyers and paid liars, a depraved president and corrupt legislators, and a news ecosystem determined to sell as much soap for as long as possible by repeating the baseless claims about Freeman and Moss.

Two women who stood their ground. That is all it took for the guardrails to hold.

It was not easy. Their stance took courage and faith. They suffered mightily. But they persevered. They are heroes of American democracy.

There can be nothing more hopeful than their example—and their victory—to remind us of the power within each of us to maintain the guardrails of democracy. Those who sow chaos in the hope that the most depraved among us will win by brute force are wrong.

People are drawn to those who promote conscience, decency, and fealty to the rule of law—especially during times of turbulence and distress.

Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss prevailed over Giuliani (and Trump) the moment they reported for work on November 3, 2020—because they joined tens of thousands of other Americans in becoming the guardrails of democracy that ensured a free and fair election.

#Rubi Freeman and Shaye Moss #Giuliani #TFG #bullying #harrassment #election 2020 #Georgia

[gwydionmisha]

#Rudy Giuliani #Ruby Freeman #Shaye Moss #Defamation #News

[odinsblog]

I’m really glad that Ms. Ruby Freeman and Shaye Freeman Moss have a GoFundMe that is helping them get back on their feet. Far too often, you only see this kind of fundraising when it’s for cops who shot down yet another unarmed Black person. To be sure, this is not a “feel good” story, because it never should have happened to begin with. I hope they sue tf outta Trump, Giuliani, the Proud Boys, Trevian Kitti, Fox News and everyone else who harassed and threatened them.

#politics #rudy giuliani #ruby freeman #shaye freeman moss #donald trump #scotus #republicans #republicans are evil #shay freeman #jan 6 #january 6 commission #january 6 #january 6th #insurrection #treason #traitors

[liberalsarecool]

We are once again indebted to women like Lady Ruby, who not only show up once, but continue to show up and fight for a country that, for the most part, disrespects and abuses them.

#shaye moss #ruby freeman #jan 6 hearings

[porterdavis]

What's a guy have to do to get his ass thrown in jail for taunting a judge?

#rudy giuliani #shaye moss #ruby freeman

[readyforevolution]

A federal judge has determined that Rudy Giuliani has lost a defamation lawsuit from two Georgia election workers against him after he failed to provide information sought in subpoenas.

#blacktumblr #black history #black liberation #african history #rudy giuliani #shaye moss #ruby freeman

[dontmeantobepoliticalbut]

Rudy Giuliani, who once served as Donald Trump’s attorney, has conceded he made defamatory statements about Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss—two Black Georgia election workers—in an attempt to settle their lawsuit against him and to satisfy a judge who thought about sanctioning him.

In the Tuesday night filing, Giuliani stated he does not contest Moss and Freeman’s claims that he made slanderous statements about them following the 2020 election. The pair counted ballots in Fulton County, Ga. However, in the filing, he also stated that the false claims about vote-rigging in the 2020 presidential election were constitutionally protected speech and did not damage Freeman and Moss.

In a defamation lawsuit that was filed in 2021, the women said that they became targets of ridiculous conspiracy theories pushed by Giuliani and employees of the right-wing news network One America News. While Giuliani refuted the claims, One America News settled with Freeman and Moss for an undisclosed amount in 2022. The federal judge, Beryl A. Howell of the DC District Court, is still reviewing Tuesday’s filings from Giuliani.

On Wednesday, Howell recognized Giuliani’s concessions in the lawsuit and ordered him to pay more of Moss and Freeman’s legal fees, after he was already ordered Giuliani to pay the pair $90,000. It’s also unknown how criminal prosecutors from the Justice Department’s special counsel’s office, who have questioned Giuliani, will react to his revelations in the lawsuit.

Attorneys for Moss and Freeman will respond next week in court to several of Giuliani’s latest statements. The duo’s lead attorney Michael J. Gottlieb, a partner at Willkie, Farr & Gallagher, stated on Wednesday that Giuliani’s concessions were a “major milestone” in the case.

“Giuliani’s stipulation concedes what we have always known to be true—Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss honorably performed their civic duties in the 2020 presidential election in full compliance with the law; and the allegations of election fraud he and former-President Trump made against them have been false since day one,” he explained.

#us politics #news #the root #2023 #republicans #rudy giuliani #donald trump #conservatives #trump administration #2020 election #Ruby Freeman #Shaye Moss #defamation lawsuit #one america news network #Judge Beryl A. Howell #Michael J. Gottlieb

[tomorrowusa]

EXCELLENT!

Congrats to Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss on the settlement. ❤️ Make him pay every cent that he owes you.

A Washington DC jury has ordered Rudy Giuliani to pay $148.1mtotwo Atlanta election workers after he spread lies about them, one of the most significant verdicts to date seeking accountability for those who attempted to overturn the 2020 election. The verdict follows a four-day trial in which Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, her daughter, gave haunting details about the harassment and threats they faced after Giuliani falsely accused them of trying to steal the election in Georgia. The women, who are Black, described how they fled, are afraid to give their names in public, and still suffer severe emotional distress today. Their lawyers asked the jury to award them each at least $24m in damages. Giuliani’s attorney said earlier this week that awarding the plaintiffs their sought damages would be a “death penalty” and would be "the end of Mr Giuliani”. The damages included nearly $16.2m and $17m in compensatory damages for Freeman and Moss respectively. It also included $20m to each woman for intentional infliction of emotional distress. The jury also awarded an additional $75m in punitive damages. Giuliani also owes approximately an additional $275,000 in legal fees.

If Giuliani owes $148.1 million because of lies he's spread about two election workers, can you imagine how much Trump would owe for his nonstop dishonesty? I was thinking: maybe in the range of the GDP of Thailand.

The case is the latest in a series of cases in which plaintiffs have used defamation law to push back on lies spread about them since the 2020 election. The voting equipment vendor Dominion settled with Fox for $787m earlier this year in a defamation case. Freeman and Moss also have a pending lawsuit against the Gateway Pundit, a far-right news outlet. Last year, they also settled with One America News, another far-right outlet. Civil rights groups are turning to defamation law as a new tool to ward off misinformation. The lies about both women were a cornerstone of efforts by Giuliani and Trump to try to overturn the election results in Georgia. On 3 December 2020, Giuliani tweeted a selectively edited video that he claimed showed Freeman and Moss wheeling suitcases full of ballots out from under a table after counting had concluded for the night. The accusation was quickly debunked by Georgia officials, but Giuliani continued to spread the lie.

Trumpsters live in an alternative universe where they imagine that whatever comes out of their mouths is instant reality. If anything, it's the direct opposite.

#rudy giuliani #defamation #election denialism #georgia #election 2020 #republicans #donald trump #liar liar pants on fire #ruby freeman #shaye moss #trump lost – get over it! #trump is a loser

[yemme]

Go after everyone that put your entire families life in danger. Thank you for your service and I hope no one has to endure what you guys had to ever again.

#Georgia #defamation lawsuit #election #poll workers #election workers #People want book deals rather than save a nation... get to writing... you have debts to pay... #Ruby Freeman #Shaye Moss

[kp777]

Georgia Republican Tells Voters 'They Lied To You' After Giuliani Bombshell

#rudy giuliani #shaye moss #ruby freeman #republicans #the big lie #gabriel sterling

[cyarsk52-20]

Here’s the verdict in the Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss v. Rudy Giuliani trial:

Defamation Claim-

Moss: $16,998,000

Freeman: $16,171,000

Intentional Infliction Emotional Distress Claim-

Moss: $20 million

Freeman: $20 million

Punitive Damages-

Total: $75 million

Right now, an unrepentant Giuliani is telling the media he did nothing wrong. He assails the judge and complains about not being able to put forth a defense.

Giuliani is now shushing the reporters. 🙄

Shaye Moss is reading a prepared statement to the media. She says she hopes no one has to fight so hard to get their name back.

Now, Lady Ruby speaks. She says "today is a good day" because a jury has held Rudy Giuliani accountable. There is still work to do. Giuliani wasn't the only one who spread lies about us.

Freeman: "Money will never solve all of my problems. I can never move back into the house I called 'home.' I always have to be careful about where I go and who I choose to share my name with. I miss my home. I miss my neighbors. And I miss my name."

"God chose me to go through this. I am strong and my faith shall never waver. Faith is what carried us through the most difficult years of my life and faith will carry you through hardships you face in your life. The Devil is a liar and he is defeated."

"Right makes might. Because it does."

#don’t fuck with black women #rudy giuliani #defamation #republicans #georgia election #black women #ruby freeman #wandrea moss #I hope they clean him out. He ruined their lives. #News #Donald Trump #Shaye Moss #president biden #kamala harris #trump #indictment of trump #donald trump #dark brandon #lock him up! #biden administration #classified documents #hillary clinton #ari melber #jack smith #view post #merrick garland #fani willis #fulton county #georgia #district attorney

[gwydionmisha]

#Rudy Giuliani #Shaye Moss #Ruby Freeman #News

[odinsblog]

“Read the entire decision here. Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss are heroes for our democracy and didn’t deserve any of their treatment. This is great news. Take that, Rudy.”

#politics #ruby freeman #shaye moss #rudy giuliani #republicans #defamation lawsuit

[liberalsarecool]

Black women have amazing integrity.

#shaye moss #ruby freeman

[cyarskaren52]

#don’t fuck with black women #rudy giuliani #defamation #republicans #georgia election #black women #ruby freeman #wandrea moss #I hope they clean him out. He ruined their lives. #News #Donald Trump #Shaye Moss #president biden #kamala harris #trump #indictment of trump #donald trump #dark brandon #lock him up! #biden administration #classified documents #hillary clinton #ari melber #jack smith #view post #merrick garland #fani willis #fulton county #georgia #district attorney

[midnightfunk]

Earlier this week, Trump renewed attacks on Freeman, whom he accused of lying to the Jan. 6 Committee after the complete transcript of her interview with the panel was made public.

"What will the Great State of Georgia do with the Ruby Freeman MESS?" Trump said on his social media platform, Truth Social.

Von DuBose, a lawyer representing Freeman and Moss in a defamation lawsuit against Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani, said Trump "continues to threaten their safety."

#ruby freeman #shaye moss #presidential citizens medal #fulton county #georgia #brad raffensperger #the big lie #donald trump #rudy giuliani #abc news #lucien bruggeman #election workers #poll workers