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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Gag law

Gag law \Gag law\ (Parliamentary Law) A law or ruling prohibiting proper or free debate, as in closure. [Colloq. or Cant]

WordNet
gag law
  1. n. a rule for limiting or ending debate in a deliberative body [syn: closure, cloture, gag rule]

  2. any law that limits freedom of the press

Wikipedia
Gag Law (Puerto Rico)

Law 53 of 1948 better known as the Gag Law was an act enacted by the Puerto Rico legislature of 1948 with the purpose of suppressing the independence movement in Puerto Rico. The act made it a crime to own or display a Puerto Rican flag, to sing a patriotic tune, to speak or write of independence, or meet with anyone, or hold any assembly, in favor of Puerto Rican independence.

It was passed by a legislature overwhelmingly dominated by members of the Popular Democratic Party (PPD), which supported developing an alternative political status for the island. The bill was signed into law on June 10, 1948 by Jesús T. Piñero, the United States-appointed governor. Opponents tried to have the law declared unconstitutional by the United States Supreme Court, but did not succeed.

The law remained in force for nine years until 1957 when it was repealed on the basis that it was unconstitutional as protected by freedom of speech within Article II of the Constitution of Puerto Rico and the First Amendment of Constitution of the United States.

Usage examples of "gag law".

In an hour the debate had been shut off, despite howls from Diamonds and their sympathizers about gag law and high-handed procedure.