In early May 2018, we covered a lawsuit brought by a new group called Speech First challenging U. Michigan’s Bias Response Teams, Lawsuit: U. Michigan speech code and Bias Response Team “profoundly chill free speech and open discourse”.
free speech
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The Big Tech censorship storm has landed
Alex Jones was deplatformed on at least four major social media platforms in a day: Facebook, Apple, YouTube and Spotify.
The Guardian reports:
U. Miami Claims to Support Free Speech But Requires Advance Notice and Clearance
You can have all the free speech you want, just fill out these forms and wait two business days.
The Washington Examiner reports:
Code Red: Speech only approved after ‘assessment’ at University of Miami
The University of Miami, a private university in Coral Gables, Fla., holds a red speech code rating, according to the...
Student Can’t Get Straight Answer on School’s ‘Free Speech Zone’ Policy
This is happening at a public school, so technically, the entire campus is a free speech zone.
Campus Reform reports:
College hangs up on student asking about free speech policy
School officials at a public community college in Texas are refusing to clarify the details of its controversial free speech policy despite repeated...
Student Suspended for Trump Themed T-Shirt Wins Apology and $25K Settlement
A student from Oregon named Addison Barnes sued his high school after being suspended for wearing a Trump-themed t-shirt featuring the words “Border Wall Construction Co.” The school just settled with him for a cool $25,000.
Free Speech Experts Raise Flags on Proposed Pronoun Policy at U. Minnesota
The policy under consideration at the school would fire people for using the wrong pronouns.
The College Fix reports:
University proposal to force preferred pronoun usage on shaky legal ground, free speech experts agree
Several experts in constitutional freedom of speech have raised red flags about the University of Minnesota’s proposed new policy to...
American Assoc. of University Profs: Campus Free Speech Legislation ‘Right-Wing’ Conspiracy
Why would this organization oppose protections of free speech on college campuses? Is there an agenda here?
Campus Reform reports:
AAUP calls campus free speech bills a ‘right-wing’ conspiracy
The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) is urging its thousands of members to challenge campus free speech legislation, which it calls “problematic” and “unnecessary.”
The...
Campus ‘Muzzle Awards’ Highlight Free Speech Issues in Higher Ed
The concept of the “Muzzle Awards” is really from a recent column by Harvey Silverglate And Nathan McGuire at WGBH. Take a look:
2018 Campus Muzzle Awards: Four Institutions That Dishonored Freedom
One of the remarkable things about the persistence of censorship in a society...
Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules Conservative Marquette Prof Was Wrongly Fired Over Personal Blog Post
After almost 4 years outside of the classroom, Marquette Professor John McAdams can return to work.
Friday, Wisconsin’s Supreme Court ruled (4-2 in favor) McAdams was wrongly fired in 2014. On his personal blog, McAdams was critical of a graduate teaching instructor who squashed a debate on gay marriage when a student...
Maricopa Community College to Hold ‘Hate Speech versus Free Speech’ Conference
The left does not understand that there is only free speech.
The Washington Examiner reports:
College to host ‘Dangerous Speech’ training
This fall, a community college in Arizona will host a training seminar for students and faculty that will focus on distinguishing “hate speech” from “free speech.”
In October, Maricopa Community College in Arizona will...
Socialist Students at U. Texas San Antonio Try to Cancel Jordan Peterson Event
University of Toronto psychology professor Jordan Peterson has become a new favorite target of the left on American college campuses. Peterson defies the progressive narrative on gender, and other issues. For this, he is declared anti-LGBT.
Speech Codes at Wesleyan U. Earn it Worst Rating from FIRE
The speech codes are made to sound like they’re in the best interests of students but they stifle free speech.
From the FIRE blog:
Why Wesleyan’s speech policies earn a red light rating
As a student at Wesleyan University, I have to say that my initial read of our Student Handbook made it seem...
UMass Amherst Drops Speech Zone Policy After Lawsuit
Lawsuits seem to be an effective way of getting schools to abandon policies that hinder free speech.
The Daily Caller reports:
UMass-Amherst Spikes Speech Zone Policy After Getting Sued
The University of Massachusetts Amherst spiked a speech z...
SCOTUS Rules in Janus v. AFSCME That Public Sector Unions Cannot Make Non-Members Pay Dues
The Supreme Court handed another victory to free speech with Janus vs. AFSCME (American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees). In a 5-4 decision, the justices determined government unions cannot require non-members to pay union dues.
Vassar Prof: Media, Universities Should Refuse to Host Unpopular and Offensive Speakers
Professor Jacobson gave a talk on free speech at Vassar last year which almost didn’t happen because he became the target of a smear campaign. So it’s hardly surprising to hear this coming from a Vassar prof.
The College Fix reports:
Philosophy prof: media, universities should refuse to host unpopular and offensive speakers
A...
SCOTUS NIFLA v. Becerra decision is a win for free speech
In another of today’s SCOTUS decisions, the Court ruled in NIFLA v. Becerra that a California law requiring crisis pregnancy centers (pregnancy counseling clinics usually run by pro-life Christians) to post notices that “California has public programs that provide immediate free or low-cost access to comprehensive family planning services (including all...
U. West Florida Improves Free Speech Policy Based on New Law Signed by Gov. Rick Scott
More and more Republican officials are taking steps to protect campus free speech. It’s great.
The Washington Examiner reports:
University of West Florid...
