College Settles Lawsuit Filed by Constitution-Loving Student

Washingtokn Free Beacon ^ | Feb. 25, 2014 | Washingtokn Free Beacon Staff

[libstripper]

A college sued by a student prohibited from passing out copies of the Constitution expanded free speech protections and provided $50,000 to the wronged student as part of a settlement reached last night to end the lawsuit.

Robert Van Tuinen, who was banned from passing out copies of the Constitution last September, filed a lawsuit against Modesto Junior College in October. A videotape of Van Tuinen being told he needed a permit and could only hand out the copies in a small area set aside for free speech at the college sparked widespread criticism.

Modesto has revised its policies to allow free speech in open areas across campus and agreed to pay Van Tuinen $50,000 as part of the settlement. Van Tuinen was assisted by the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education.

[libstripper]

This suit succeeded because the college in question was a state school, like most colleges in the U.S. The vital thing is federal law provides that a defendant who losers a civil rights case like this one is liable for the plaintiff's attorneys' fees and court costs, as Chicago discovered in the McDonald case. This is a powerful tool to use to protect student free speech at all state colleges and for attacking speech codes.

[jiggyboy]

a small area set aside for free speech at the college

Once in a while they completely give the game away. In this case, they as much as declare that the rest of the college is not an area of "free speech".

[grobdriver]

could only hand out the copies in a small area set aside for free speech

Now we see how they are...

[Oatka]

Modesto has revised its policies to allow free speech in open areas across campus and agreed to pay Van Tuinen $50,000 as part of the settlement.
The liberals fold like card tables when anyone stands up to them. Would that the GOP-e learn that.

Van Tuinen was assisted by the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education.
And a tip 'o the derby to that outfit for going to bat for him.

[4Liberty]

The Teacher Union (AFT, part of AFL-CIO) has free rein to open Speech — they enjoy special bulletin boards & full access to all our Snail Mail addresses & our Email Inboxes at the campus.

They’re not limited to our 3 x 5 Foot “free speech area” near the Library........

[Pollster1]

Setting aside special areas of public property where the First Amendment applies is as silly as setting aside such areas for the Second Amendment.

[The Great RJ]

I bet professors could hand out copies of Marx or Muslim students pass out Korans without so much as a raised eyebrow.

[PoloSec]

Good on Van Tuinen...

Glad to know where there is educational institution blowing smoke, there is FIRE.

[11th Commandment]

Agreed, but I wonder if the college also knew they would lose because the plaintiff could show the policy was not enforced when leftist causes were expressed on campus??

[Liberty Wins]

Here’s the website of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education:

http://www.thefire.org/

[Therapsid]

What do they care?Its not their money.

[S.O.S121.500]

Tagline WIN.........

[Oatka]

[Lib college backs down] What do they care?Its not their money.

I look at it as the lesser part of the equation. They backed off when faced with any opposition. All too often the GOP-e does what Steyn beautifully phrased "pre-emptive cringing".