Free speech is one of our nation’s founding principles, but it gets tested every day. This is particularly true in the education realm when the “speech” involved is about religion. This last week especially has seen the First Amendment poised for scrutiny as liberal educators threaten the rights of students to speak about their faith freely.
Last Friday, with the help of their attorneys at Alliance Defending Freedom, a chapter of Young Americans for Liberty filed a lawsuit against the University of Alabama. It challenges “the university’s policies that require students to obtain a permit to speak on campus five business days in advance.” Young Americans for Liberty believe the policy violates Alabama’s FORUM Act, a pro-free-speech policy specifically targeted to public colleges and universities.
Regardless, no student at a public university should have to get a permit to speak at their school. The requirement for advance notice before holding a protest is also absurd. It would prohibit students from responding reflexively to important news events. Holding rallies or protests in response to events around the world is an important part of the collegiate experience and often represents a time of learning and growth. While a permit might seem like a logistical solution to overcrowding, it often becomes a tool to suppress free speech.
There is some good news.
This week, Florida State University agreed to settle a lawsuit. Attorneys for former Student Senate President Jack Denton alleged Florida State administrators stripped him of that title because he was sharing his personal religious beliefs about controversial topics with other students in private text conversations. According to Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys, the school agreed to “issue a public statement affirming the idea that student government is open to all students, including religious students,” equally.
“Public universities can’t single out and punish students for their religious beliefs,” said Alliance Defending Freedom Legal Counsel Logan Spena in a statement. “We are pleased that Florida State has finally affirmed its commitment to students’ First Amendment rights on campus. All students should be able to peacefully share their personal convictions without fear of retaliation.”
Free speech is even being challenged at the high school level. One day after receiving a letter from First Liberty Institute, “school officials at Hillsdale (MI) high school reversed a decision that prevented Elizabeth Turner, a graduating senior, from referencing her faith in her valedictory speech,” the press release read.
School officials had originally reviewed Turner’s powerful speech, wherein she explains her identity is rooted in her relationship with Jesus Christ, and told her that she had to “be mindful about the inclusion of religious aspects” and that “they are not appropriate for a speech in a school public setting.” She was then told to change her valedictory speech and erase any remarks that referred to her personal faith. The school deserves credit for reversing course and allowing Turner to make the speech she wanted.
But the issues here are very real. Free speech is a defining doctrine of the United States. It’s frustrating to see this sacred right being challenged so often, especially in an arena such as education, where young people formulate their core beliefs. And it’s worth noting in these cases that those trying to squelch First Amendment rights are liberals. Still, the First Amendment is not a liberal or conservative ideal. It’s an ideal rooted in liberty and equality. All of us should stand in its defense.
Nicole Russell (@russell_nm) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog. She is a journalist who previously worked in Republican politics in Minnesota.
