FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: OCT. 8, 2025
Contact: Elliot Forhan (740) 707-2718

Cleveland journalist combats assault on her free speech, uses new Ohio anti-SLAPP law

CLEVELAND – Cleveland journalist Kimberly F. Brown today filed a motion under Ohio’s new anti-SLAPP law.[1] Ms. Brown is fighting a “SLAPP suit,” a/k/a a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation, brought by a candidate for city council in Maple Heights against each of Ms. Brown and a client of Ms. Brown, Maple Heights Councilmember Edwina Agee. Ms. Brown is represented by lawyer and Ohio attorney general candidate Elliot Forhan. 

Said Ms. Brown:

“This situation is distressing. These allegations are false. Some of what is alleged is simply speech that this individual does not like. I value integrity as a journalist and community member, and I expect to prevail in this case. I am determined to tell this story, so that others will not endure the unwelcome strain on my activism and professional community status. No one should be allowed to manipulate the will and good faith of the court.” 

Said Mr. Forhan:

“Freedom of speech is enshrined in each of our state and national constitutions. It is the cornerstone of a strong democracy. SLAPP suits threaten our democracy by targeting people who speak out on matters of public importance. The evidence in this case will show that my client merely published speech protected under the law, which speech Ms. Atkins did not like, and that Ms. Atkins is attempting to misuse the court system to target my client and suppress that protected speech.”

The SLAPP suit against Ms. Brown was filed last month by council candidate Travian Atkins. Ms. Atkins petitioned for a civil stalking protection order (a “CSPO”) based on statements by Ms. Brown in news articles, on her podcast and while campaigning at a polling location that were critical of Ms. Atkins. Ms. Atkins’s petition also makes certain false allegations about Ms. Brown’s conduct.

Ohio enacted its new anti-SLAPP law on January 8, 2025. As a result, the Institute for Free Speech increased Ohio’s free speech grade from an “F” in its 2024 report card to an “A+” in 2025. Last year, while Mr. Forhan was serving as a state representative, he introduced the House version of the bill that became Ohio’s new anti-SLAPP law.

Mr. Forhan has litigated SLAPP cases before. Last year, he won a CSPO case filed against him by State Representative and Cuyahoga County Democratic Party Executive Vice Chair Juanita Brent that was based on Rep. Brent’s desire to stop Mr. Forhan from influencing the public narrative. Mr. Forhan’s claims for defamation in connection therewith are scheduled to go to trial on Election Day in November 2026.[2]

Ms. Brown is a journalist, publisher, and social activist based in Cleveland. She founded The Brown Report Newspaper and hosts the “Brown on Cleveland Little Hut” podcast.

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[1] See Respondent Kimberly F. Brown’s Motion for Expedited Relief, Including (1) a Stay of All Other Proceedings in the Action and (2) an R.C.-2747.04(A)(1) Hearing, Atkins v. Brown, No. CV-25-125167 (Cuyahoga Cty. Comm. Pl. Ct. Oct. 8, 2025).

[2] See Original Scheduling Notice, Forhan v. Ohio General Assembly, No. 2024-00798JD (Ohio Ct. Cl. Sep. 9, 2025).