US appeals court strikes down key part of Florida law restricting campus race and gender discussions
Summary
A federal appeals court struck down a key part of Florida’s Stop Woke Act that limited how race and gender topics could be taught at public colleges and universities. The court ruled that restricting professors' speech in this way violates the free speech protections in the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment.Key Facts
- The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 against the higher education section of Florida’s Stop Woke Act.
- The law prevented college professors from teaching or sharing ideas about race and gender that the state disagreed with.
- The judges said the law wrongly treats professors’ speech as if it belongs to the state because they are paid by the government.
- The ruling supports earlier court decisions that blocked parts of the law aimed at controlling speech in workplaces and schools.
- The Stop Woke Act was a signature effort by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to limit left-wing ideas in public institutions.
- Civil rights and free speech groups, as well as professors like LeRoy Pernell, praised the ruling for protecting open discussion in classrooms.
- The court emphasized that students should be trusted to hear and decide on different ideas themselves.
- The decision stops the state from censoring discussions about racism, gender, and LGBTQ+ issues in Florida’s public colleges.
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