Statement on orders to Florida public universities to derecognize Students for Justice in Palestine: We must not give politicians more power to suppress our free speech

The government cannot force public colleges to derecognize Students for Justice in Palestine chapters. That's just what State University System of Florida Chancellor Ray Rodrigues, reportedly at the direction of Gov. Ron DeSantis, is trying to do.

There’s no indication from the chancellor’s letter that any action from Florida’s Students for Justice in Palestine groups went beyond expression fully protected by the First Amendment. This directive is a dangerous — and unconstitutional — threat to free speech. If it goes unchallenged, no one’s political beliefs will be safe from government suppression. 

FIRE believes higher education can only fulfill its important mission when students can speak their minds. And we’ll defend the rights of all Florida’s students — and all Americans — to speak freely. 

Free speech makes free people.