Call to “Update Free Speech Policies” to Address Supposed Hate Speech at Public University
I’ve seen plenty before, but this one is from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, and the particular target is “antisemitic speech.” An excerpt from Wednesday’s Executive Order:
WHEREAS, Section 51.9315(f) of the Texas Education Code requires all higher
education institutions to adopt policies detailing students’ responsibilities regarding free
expression on campus; andWHEREAS, Section 51.9315(c)(2) of the Texas Education Code provides that students
should not participate in, and higher education institutions should not allow, expression that is unlawful or disrupts the operations of the institution; andWHEREAS, antisemitism and the harassment of Jewish students have no place on Texas university campuses and will not be tolerated by my administration;
NOW, THEREFORE, I … hereby direct all Texas higher education institutions to do the following:
1. Review and update free speech policies to address the sharp rise in antisemitic speech and acts on university campuses and establish appropriate punishments, including expulsion from the institution.
2. Ensure that these policies are being enforced on campuses and that groups such as the Palestine Solidarity Committee and Students for Justice in Palestine are disciplined for violating these policies.
3. Include the definition of antisemitism, adopted by the State of Texas in Section 448.001 of the Texas Government Code, in university free speech policies to guide university personnel and students on what constitutes antisemitic speech.
Texas Government Code Section 448.001 incorporates “the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s ‘Working Definition of Antisemitism,’” which includes (among other things),
- Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g.,
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