United States Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) has seen many ways and angles at which those in power have sought to chip away at First Amendment rights. The latest threat has been at the expense of rap musicians, particularly Black men, who he says are being unfairly prosecuted because of bias and prejudice. But Johnson is hopeful his new bill, the RAP Act, can help protect more than just rappers but the creative expression of all artists.
In late July, Johnson introduced the Restoring Artistic Protection Act — or the RAP Act — a bill that will prevent any form of artistic expression from being admissible as evidence in federal cases.