Summary
Arkansas State officials kicked a student and another individual off the patio in front of the Student Union and threatened her with a violation of the student code of conduct simply for setting up a table to promote the campus chapter of Turning Point USA. The lawsuit prompted the state of Arkansas to enact campus free speech legislation known as the FORUM Act, which prohibits such restrictive speech policies. As a result, the university changed the bad policies it relied upon to censor the student, but a federal district court ultimately left no repercussions for university officials for their unconstitutional actions.
Press Releases
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Multiple groups ask US Supreme Court to take case to rein in immunity for lawbreaking govt officials -
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8th Circuit: Arkansas State violated student’s First Amendment freedoms
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Student: Arkansas State shouldn’t be let off the hook for free speech violation -
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Court rejects Arkansas State’s request to dismiss lawsuit over restrictive speech zone
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Student group files suit against Arkansas State for limiting speech to 1% of campus
Case Documents
Court
Title
Date
U.S. Supreme Court
3/9/2021
U.S. Supreme Court
3/9/2021
U.S. Supreme Court
3/9/2021
U.S. Supreme Court
3/9/2021
U.S. Supreme Court
3/9/2021
U.S. Supreme Court
3/9/2021
Additional Resources
Case Profiles
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Chris Schandevel
Senior Counsel
Chris Schandevel serves as legal counsel on Alliance Defending Freedom’s Appellate Advocacy Team.
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John Bursch
Senior Counsel, Vice President of Appellate Advocacy
John Bursch is senior counsel and vice president of appellate advocacy with Alliance Defending Freedom.