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New Free Speech Policy at UC-Hastings College of the Law Eliminates ‘Heckler’s Veto’

New Free Speech Policy at UC-Hastings College of the Law Eliminates ‘Heckler’s Veto’

“forms of protest that substantially disrupt an in-person or virtual event in a way that has the effect of silencing a speaker”

It’s amazing that this is happening in California. Of course, heckler’s veto shouldn’t exist anywhere.

The College Fix reports:

UC Hastings eliminates heckler’s veto in new free speech policy

Students and speakers at the University of California Hastings College of the Law will now have better protections for free speech. The school updated its policy on events and eliminated the heckler’s veto.

As a result, protesters at the public university can no longer shout down speakers or cause a disruption with the goal of ending an event, according to the new policy.

The media team for the law school provided The College Fix with a copy of the new speech guidelines.

The Event Policy prohibits “forms of protest that substantially disrupt an in-person or virtual event in a way that has the effect of silencing a speaker,” but still recognizes and protects peaceful protest such as banner holding, counter events, and engaging in question and answer periods as part of the “essential right to protest.”

“UC Hastings is committed to free expression, student support, and diversity, equity and inclusion,” communications director Elizabeth Moore told The Fix via email. “Our new event policy – together with the supportive services that we offer to all students – works to achieve these values simultaneously.”

Moore did not respond to two requests for information about the punishments violators of the free speech rules could face.

Administrators, according to the new policy, have the authority to hold violators “accountable for violating the UC Hastings Code of Student Conduct and Discipline.”

A free speech group thanked the university for changing its policies.

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression wrote on its blog that “[u]niversities facing free speech controversies can learn a thing or two from UC Hastings strong commitment to expressive rights.”

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Comments

The Gentle Grizzly | November 15, 2022 at 8:51 am

I’m happily surprised this is at a UC campus.

“Moore did not respond to two requests for information about the punishments violators of the free speech rules could face.”

So it’s eyewash.

The hecklers will escalate until the administration capitulates.

That kind of rhymes.

Good.

Now remove federal and state funding from all other universities that do not adopt and enforce this plainly sensible free speech policy.