Navigating the Boundaries of Free Speech: Addressing Antisemitism on Campus

The ACLU has defended the right to free speech on college campuses, including controversial and offensive speech, amidst a furor over how three university presidents responded to questions about handling antisemitic rhetoric. The presidents of Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, and MIT faced criticism for their conditional answers during a congressional hearing. While the ACLU did not offer full support for the presidents themselves, it defended their decision to allow free speech on campus. Calls for the presidents' resignations have grown, with donors threatening to withdraw gifts. The House Education Committee will investigate the universities' policies and disciplinary procedures.