Florida is targeting students' free speech rights. We're suing.

ACLU Supporter, we just sued to stop the State University System of Florida's ban of a Palestinian rights student group for exercising its free speech rights.

Late last month, University System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues – along with Governor Ron DeSantis – ordered the University of Florida and other public universities in the state to immediately shut down their campus chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine.

This clear violation of students' First Amendment rights could set a dangerous precedent, unless we act now.

That's exactly why we're fighting back in court on behalf of our client – to overturn this unconstitutional order and protect all students' right to free speech and free association. Read the full filing for more information >> <[link removed]>

Read More <[link removed]>

Make no mistake, ACLU Supporter: Censoring pro-Palestinian voices is dangerous and wrong. Attacking the free speech rights of one group serves as a threat to us all.

We recognize colleges are contending with how to manage rising tensions on their campuses while keeping students safe – and we agree that antisemitism, anti-Muslim, anti-Palestinian, and anti-Arab hate must be condemned and combated. But it is precisely in times of heightened crisis and fear that university leaders must remain steadfast in their commitment to free speech, open debate, and peaceful dissent on campus.

Florida's attempt to silence the University of Florida's Students for Justice in Palestine chapter is unconstitutional, dangerous, and just plain wrong.

From the Red Scare during the McCarthy era to the disturbing civil liberties abuses in the years since 9/11, we've seen firsthand the dangers of censorship and restrictions on the rights to free speech and association – and since our founding in 1920, the ACLU has always worked to defend these core constitutional rights.

Student groups advocating for Palestinian rights – like every other group – have the right to express their political opinions, and we will always defend that right. Read more on this critical case now. <[link removed]>

Thank you for being with us,

Hina Shamsi
Pronouns: She, her, hers
Director, National Security Project, ACLU

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