Virginia Tech • Status: Open
Blacksburg, Virginia
Speech First v. Sands, et al
April 8, 2021
Recent Activity: September 18, 2023: Amicus briefs from twenty-one organizations were filed in support of Speech First’s petition for writ of certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Case launch: April 8th, 2021 (United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia)
Issues being challenged:
- Discriminatory-harassment policy
- Bias-related incidents policy
- Computer policy
- Flyering policy
“Through this elaborate disciplinary apparatus, administrators at Virginia Tech have intimidated students into silence, refraining altogether from expressing comments or viewpoints that might be perceived as controversial or offensive. This effort to restrict (and even punish) speech based on content goes against the commitment to academic discourse that is supposed to be paramount in higher education.” – Nicole Neily
Case Documents
- Americans Defending Freedom & Manhattan Institute Amicus Brief September 18, 2023
- Americans for Prosperity Foundation Amicus Brief September 18, 2023
- Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty Amicus Brief September 18, 2023
- Buckeye Institute Amicus Brief September 18, 2023
- Foundation for Moral Law Amicus Brief September 18, 2023
- Liberty Justice Center & Cato Institute Amicus Brief September 18, 2023
- Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression Amicus Brief September 18, 2023
- Parents Defending Education Amicus Brief September 18, 2023
- Southeastern Legal Foundation Amicus Brief September 18, 2023
- Alumni Free Speech Alliance Amicus Brief September 18, 2023
- Petition for Certiorari August 14, 2023
- Fourth Circuit Decision May 31, 2023
- REPLY BRIEF OF APPELLANT SPEECH FIRST April 1, 2022
- Speech First, Inc v. Sands et al; Amicus Brief by the Southeastern Legal Foundation January 18, 2022
- Speech First, Inc v. Sands et al; Amicus Brief by the Liberty Justice Center, Cato Institute, and American Council of Trustees and Alumni January 18, 2022
- Speech First, Inc v. Sands et al; Amicus Brief by the Alliance Defending Freedom January 18, 2022
- Speech First, Inc v. Sands et al; Amicus Brief by the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education January 18, 2022
- SPEECH FIRST V. SANDS ET. AL BRIEF OF APPELLANT SPEECH FIRST January 10, 2022
- SPEECH FIRST V. SANDS ET. AL; PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION GRANTED September 23, 2021
- Motion for Leave to File Notice of Supplemental Authority in Virginia Tech Lawsuit July 6, 2021
- PLAINTIFF’S REPLY IN SUPPORT OF ITS MOTION FOR A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION June 14, 2021
- Virginia Tech Preliminary Injunction Filing April 12, 2021
- SPEECH FIRST V. SANDS ET. AL; COMPLAINT April 8, 2021
Media Coverage
August 22, 2023
Supreme Court asked to intervene in Fairfax and Virginia Tech education lawsuits
Washington Examiner
June 11, 2023
Virginia Tech’s Bias Response Team and the First Amendment
Wall Street Journal
June 11, 2023
Virginia Tech defeats attempt to enjoin university’s policies
VA Lawyers Weekly
June 3, 2023
Virginia Tech bias response team receives favorable ruling from Fourth Circuit majority
Bolly Inside
June 2, 2023
Court Rules Against Free Speech Group, Upholds Virginia Tech Bias Policy
Daily Wire
June 2, 2023
Fourth Circuit majority rules in favor of Virginia Tech Bias Response Team
WFXR
June 2, 2023
Virginia Tech bias policy upheld by appeals court
The Roanoke TImes
May 31, 2023
‘Surveillance State’: Federal Judge Slams Decision To Uphold University’s Bias Reporting Policy In Dissent
Daily Caller
November 11, 2022
Amid lawsuit, judge voices criticism of Virginia Tech policies that limit student speech
The College Fix
May 6, 2022
Federal free speech lawsuit against Virginia Tech continues
The College Fix
