Cases

Joseph Ballard at the University of Alabama

Summary

Joseph Ballard is a student at the University of Alabama who is a member of the Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) chapter at the University. Two professors tore down flyers for a YAF event featuring Stephen Moore, a writer and television commentator on economic issues. Another student also ripped down the flyers and called the members of YAF “bigots and white supremacists.”

ADF attorneys assisted Joseph in contacting and meeting with the Dean of the University. After hearing about the incident, the Dean required all the department heads under his jurisdiction to participate in a training regarding the University’s duty to protect the First Amendment rights of students. The training specifically stated that they are not allowed to tear flyers down. Additionally, the same training is going to be required for professors and will be led by the department heads in the future.

Details

Institution: University of Alabama

Location: Tuscaloosa, AL

Topic: Other

Intervention: Non-litigation

Outcome: Victory

FREE SPEECH IN DIVIDED TIMES: THE PROBLEM OR THE SOLUTION?