Dear Friend,
In the last few years, we’ve seen some shocking violations of free speech. Staff at a library in California shut down an event because the event hosts said it was unfair for men to compete in women’s sports. In Grants Pass, Oregon, a pair of teachers were fired after they challenged gender ideology and respectfully shared their opinions on how to best advocate for students. Bank of America closed the bank account of a ministry dedicated to serving Ugandans in need because of the ministry’s Christian beliefs.
Discrimination against certain points of view has infected our governments and even economic institutions.
And unfortunately, we also see many violations of free speech in higher education.
Even the American Bar Association (ABA) has decided to do something about violations to free speech, calling law schools to a higher standard.
Last month, the ABA House of Delegates passed a resolution requiring law schools to “protect the rights of faculty, students and staff to communicate ideas that may be controversial or unpopular, including through robust debate, demonstrations or protests.” The ABA even made this protection of free speech a condition of accreditation.
This change was much needed. Tolerance for ideological diversity is running low across our educational institutions. Just a few years ago, Alliance Defending Freedom’s President and CEO Kristen Waggoner was harassed and physically intimidated by students while giving a talk about, of all things, free speech at Yale Law School.
Friend, we applaud the ABA for its resolution. But we need free speech protected across all our institutions—and that can only happen when we each stand up for the truth. Will you please sign your name to our Free Speech Statement? |
