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Greg: Brandeis’ Censorship Problem Didn’t Begin with Hirsi Ali
Last week, Brandeis University reversed its decision to grant an honorary degree to women’s rights activist Ayaan Hirsi Ali because of her criticism of Islam. It is unfortunate that Brandeis’ class of 2014 was denied the opportunity to hear Hirsi Ali speak at commencement, but the controversy is a symptom of a much deeper problem—both at Brandeis and across the country. FIRE President Greg Lukianoff puts the incident in context in an article for The Huffington Post today with a reminder of Brandeis’ worrying past on free speech issues and of what’s at stake for the future.
Recent Articles
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West Texas A&M President cancels student charity drag show for second time
West Texas A&M President Wendler enforced his unconstitutional prior restraint by canceling a student-organized charity drag show for the second time.
Supreme Court considers when government ‘persuasion’ becomes unconstitutional coercion
In today’s oral argument for NRA v. Vullo, the Court grappled with government regulators using indirect pressure to silence protected speech.
Utah enacts FIRE’s model bill, protects due process rights on campus
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed House Bill 414 into law, providing robust due process protections for students involved in campus disciplinary proceedings.
NRA case shows the Supreme Court must stop informal censorship
The Supreme Court should provide a clear test to end informal censorship, where the government operates behind closed doors to influence speech.