Bill Advances in Iowa to Ban Campus Free Speech Zones
“passed the Iowa House of Representatives Thursday by a narrow margin of 52-44”
This needs to happen all over. Free speech zones are an insult to the idea of free speech.
Campus Reform reports:
Iowa is really close to banning free speech zones
An Iowa bill to eliminate free speech zones and prohibit universities from discriminating based on viewpoints is headed to the governor’s desk.
Specifically, Senate File 274 would allow faith and viewpoint-based student organizations to require members of their leadership teams to align with the beliefs of those respective organizations.
The bill comes just weeks after a court ruled in favor of Business Leaders in Christ after the University of Iowa de-registered the student organization because it requires its members to sign a statement of faith, according to The Gazette. The policy prevented an openly gay member from serving in a leadership role of the organization, as Campus Reform previously reported.
The bill passed the Iowa House of Representatives Thursday by a narrow margin of 52-44.
SF 274 also requires public colleges and universities to adopt policies addressing freedom of expression, which among other things, must state that “it is the proper role of an institution of higher education to encourage diversity of thoughts, ideas, and opinions.”
There was bipartisan support for certain parts of the bill, but most Democrats were turned off by a portion which allows student organizations to deny leadership positions if a student doesn’t agree with the organization’s core values, according to The Gazette.
DONATE
Donations tax deductible
to the full extent allowed by law.
Comments
I truly hope that this bill passes. Perhaps it will be a beacon to other states to stand up and support the U.S. Bill of Rights in equil measure for all.
Yes I am gay, but I fully supported the defence of marriage acts. The Supreme courts decision was (in my opinion) wrong. Forcing people to accept something that goes against their faith is a violation of the free exercise clause.
So is telling people that they can only exercise their Constitutional rights in a small area.
It is time to hold our elected representatives feet to the constitutional fire and take back our rights.