Free Speech Roundup: Week of Mar. 11th, 2018

A summary of the top free speech related news and events from the past week. Freedom of speech is the right from which all other human rights follow because it allows people to address grievances and protest for their other rights. It is therefore of the utmost importance to protect the right to express oneself freely from those who seek to restrict it.

This week we have news on a new study, a new law, a legal battle, and international news from Spain and England.

New Study of College Student Views on Free Speech

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/12/us/college-students-free-speech.html
https://www.knightfoundation.org/reports/free-expression-on-campus-what-college-students-think-about-first-amendment-issues#_ftn1
The results of a 2017 Gallup-Knight Foundation study were released on how college students view free speech. It follows up a 2016 study, providing interesting insight into how views may be shifting. The vast majority of students agree in the importance of both free expression and inclusivity/diversity to democracy, but more think inclusion and diversity are more important. Students struggle with how to balance those two values. Most students say they prefer an open learning environment that allows all types of speech, but most also think there should be some restrictions on expression, including free speech zones. More students think the climate on their campus stifles free expression of some students than the year before (61% to 54%). Less students view their First Amendment rights as secure (73% to 64% for free speech; 81% to 60% for free press; 66% to 57% for free assembly; 68% to 64% for free religion; 76% to 67% for freedom to petition). I wrote more about this study HERE.

Amnesty International Report Finds Spain’s Anti-Terror Laws Stifle Free Speech

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2018/03/spain-counter-terror-law-used-to-crush-satire-and-creative-expression-online/
A new report by Amnesty International found that recent years have seen an exponential increase in the number of people charged under Spain’s counter-terrorism laws for political speech or artistic expression. Article 578 is the broad, vaguely-worded law against “glorifying terrorism” and “humiliating the victims of terrorism” results in silencing free expression. A broadening of the law in 2015 led to almost 70 convictions in the last 2 years, up from 3 in 2011. Those targeted by the law include rappers, journalists, and general social media users making jokes. Eda Seyhan of Amnesty says, “Spain is emblematic of a disturbing trend which has seen states across Europe unduly restricting expression on the pretext of national security and stripping away rights under the guise of defending them.”

Florida Passes Law Banning Campus Free Speech Zones

http://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2018/03/11/gov-scott-signs-education-bills-no-free-speech-zones-tighter-rules-on-teachers-unions-and-no-more-usf-st-pete-autonomy/
https://www.lifezette.com/polizette/florida-gov-rick-scott-signs-measure-outlawing-free-speech-zones/
Florida Governor Rick Scott signed 2 education bills into law on Sunday, one of which includes provisions outlawing free speech zones on public college campuses. After a separate campus free speech bill failed to pass committee, portions of the proposed bill were added to a broader education bill. In addition to prohibiting specific areas of campus being designated as free speech zones, it also allows universities to be sued for violating student rights. The rights to sue were limited in the final bill to have no minimum financial penalties and only make the university financially responsible.

Pence Protesters Win Fight to Carry Signs

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-pence-protest-georgia-st-pats-parade-20180316-story.html
Protestors in Savannah, Georgia won a quick legal battle for the ability to carry signs to protest Vice President Pence at the St. Patrick's Day parade in which he is participating. City officials initially banned signs and posters among other items prohibited for security reasons. The ACLU filed a federal lawsuit asking for an injunction to stop the ban, saying it violated the First Amendment. Officials quickly reversed course before a judicial decision was made. Signs and posters are now allowed providing that they are not mounted on sticks or poles and do not exceed 20 by 3 feet.

College Deplatforms Its Own Lecturer

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/2018/03/16/kings-college-london-accused-no-platforming-itsown-lecturer/
King's College London shut down a planned speech by one of its own lecturers citing "high risk." In an ironic twist, the scheduled talk by Dr. Adam Perkins was to be about the scientific importance of free speech. The university postponed the speech due to the "current external environment and the recent violent protest" and because Dr. Perkins has "attracted controversy in the past." King's College London was also the site of the recent violent protest that interrupted a talk by YouTuber Sargon of Akkad and Ayn Rand Institute director Yaron Brook.

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Recent Free Speech Roundups:

Free Speech Roundup: Week of Mar. 4th, 2018
Free Speech Roundup: Week of Feb. 25th, 2018
Free Speech Roundup: Week of Feb. 18th, 2018

Other Free Speech Posts

New Study Shows College Students Conflicted on Free Speech
Who is most supportive of free speech?
Campus Free Speech Zones
Milton's Areopagitica Translated to Modern English
Hitchens on Free Speech - Must Watch

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
~ First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States