Students in Texas file a lawsuit to impede a recently enacted law that curtails freedoms of speech on college campuses
News Article: Controversial Texas Law Limits On-Campus Expressive Activities
A new Texas law, Senate Bill 2972, has sparked controversy as it limits on-campus protests and expressive activities. The law, which went into effect on Sept. 1, 2021, has been met with criticism from various student groups and organisations, including the University of Texas at Dallas' independently operated student newspaper, The Retrograde, and the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE).
The law requires public universities and colleges to adopt policies that prohibit certain expressive activities such as the use of bullhorns and drums, on-campus speakers during the last two weeks of a semester, and demonstrations between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. The University of Texas at Dallas' Editor-In-Chief Gregorio Olivares Gutierrez stated that the law would prohibit coverage by The Retrograde after 10 p.m.
The law is seen as a limitation on expressive speech, which includes freedom of the press, freedom to gather, freedom of speech, and protection of religion. JT Morris, FIRE's senior supervising attorney, stated that the First Amendment doesn't set when the sun goes down, and that university students have expressive freedom whether it's midnight or midday.
The lawsuit seeks a preliminary injunction against Senate Bill 2972. Other student plaintiffs represented by FIRE include Young Americans for Liberty, The Society of Unconventional Drummers, and Strings Attached. The Fellowship of Christian University Students at UT-Dallas would be unable to invite an off-campus minister to lead a prayer during finals under SB 2972.
Defendants in the suit include the UT System Board of Regents, UT System Chancellor John M. Zerwas, UT Austin President Jim Davis, and UT Dallas President Prabhas V. Moghe. KERA sought comment from all defendants. The UT System declined to provide a statement because of litigation.
The law is in response to pro-Palestinian rallies and protests that took place on college campuses nationwide. However, it is unclear which organisations have filed lawsuits against the Texas legislation restricting on-campus protests, as search results do not provide this information.
Bill Zeeble is KERA's education reporter. KERA News is made possible through the generosity of their members.
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