University of Alabama: University Investigates #YeIsRight Chalk, Citing ‘Core Values’

On January 26, 2023, the University of Alabama announced an investigation into chalk messages on its sidewalks reading “#YeIsRight” and “America First,” stating that the messages violated the university’s “Capstone Creed, our campus culture and our core values.” On January 31, FIRE wrote UA explaining that while it may remove chalk for violating the viewpoint-neutral time, place, and manner restrictions the university has in place, it cannot investigate or punish expression because some are offended by its content. After some initial back and forth with FIRE, UA confirmed on March 2 that it permits “expression of offensive views so long as those views are expressed in accordance with the terms of the University’s policies.”