Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_18-cv-06295/USCOURTS-cand-3_18-cv-06295-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 28:1331 Fed. Question

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

HARRY J. WILLIBY,

Plaintiff,

v.

MARK ZUCKERBERG, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No.18-cv-06295-JD 

ORDER RE IFP APPLICATION AND 

TRO/INJUNCTION MOTIONS

Re: Dkt. Nos. 2, 3, 4

Pro se plaintiff Williby has applied to proceed in forma pauperis. Dkt. No. 4. The request 

is denied. The complaint is dismissed, and all pending TRO and injunction motions are denied. 

In reviewing an application to proceed in forma pauperis, courts may dismiss a case sua 

sponte if the party applying for in forma pauperis status files a frivolous action, fails to state a 

claim on which relief may be granted, or seeks monetary relief against a defendant who is immune 

from such relief. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B). To make the determination under Section 

1915(e)(2)(B), courts assess whether there is an arguable factual and legal basis for the asserted 

wrong, “however inartfully pleaded.” Franklin v. Murphy, 745 F.2d 1221, 1227-28 (9th Cir. 

1984) (internal quote omitted); see also Williams v. Madrid, 609 F. App’x 421 (9th Cir. 2015).

The complaint is dismissed because the First Amendment claim is not based on any state 

action and purports to sue a business that is not a government entity. Hudgens v. N. L. R. B., 424 

U.S. 507, 513 (1976). Facebook’s policies for moderating posts, including those relating to 

elections, do not constitute state action. Dkt. No. 1 ¶¶ 14-15. In the absence of a cognizable legal 

claim, the TRO and injunction motions are denied.

Case 3:18-cv-06295-JD Document 9 Filed 10/22/18 Page 1 of 2
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

Plaintiff may file an amended complaint by November 12, 2018. Failure to amend by that 

date will result in dismissal of this case with prejudice for failure to prosecute. See Fed. R. Civ.

P. 41(b).

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: October 22, 2018

JAMES DONATO

United States District Judge

Case 3:18-cv-06295-JD Document 9 Filed 10/22/18 Page 2 of 2