University of Michigan’s ‘Bias Response Policy’ Violates Free Speech, DOJ Says
Bias Reporting Systems
The U.S. Department of Justice challenged the University of Michigan’s Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities code Monday and declared it unconstitutional for limiting the free speech of students, some of whom say they were abused for wearing red “Make America Great Again” hats and supporting President Donald Trump.
The challenge comes in the form of a statement of interest filed by the DOJ in the case of Speech First, Inc., v. Schlissel in the Eastern District of Michigan. It argues that the university’s policy which prohibits “harassment,” “bullying,” and “bias,” is unconstitutional because it offers no clear, objective definitions of the violations.
“Instead of protecting free speech, the university imposes a system of arbitrary censorship of, and punishment for, constitutionally protected speech,” John M. Gore, an acting assistant attorney general, wrote in the 25-page brief cited by the New York Times.
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