September Update from the AFA
We are off to a busy start to the new semester, with one new public case and several requests under consideration. The speech climate on campuses has grown increasingly contentious following the recent political violence and the ongoing cultural and political debates in the country. As always, we appreciate you flagging any issues that may warrant our attention by contacting Howard Muncy at hmuncy@academicfreedom.org.
Joyner Case Headed to Trial
Dr. Michael Joyner’s case against the Mayo Clinic is headed to trial, marking a first for our relatively young organization. The trial was originally scheduled to start this week but the court recently moved the date to early February due to a scheduling conflict. Joyner was disciplined following comments he made to the media about COVID treatments and sex-specific differences in athletic performance. Over the last two years, Joyner’s case has survived a motion to dismiss, gone through discovery, and made it through summary judgment. You can find media coverage of the case on CNN here.
The AFA has covered 100% of Dr. Joyner’s legal expenses throughout this entire ordeal, but as the case heads to trial those costs are about to increase significantly. This is an important moment to ensure professors and researchers have the ability to speak freely about their findings. But we are going to need your help. Please consider donating to our cause and take this opportunity to claim your part of our effort to support Dr. Joyner’s brave stand as his case heads to trial. Please consider making a donation here.
Our Statement on Charlie Kirk
After the assassination last month of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, we sent a statement defending free speech at universities. “The assassination of Charlie Kirk was an attack on freedom of speech and, therefore, an attack on a vital practice of American universities,” our statement read. “The Academic Freedom Alliance (AFA) condemns this heinous murder. Mr. Kirk was killed in the context of a university forum for the robust exchange of ideas and arguments—something to which he had personally dedicated himself.”
Our statement continued, “It is critical that the impact of Mr. Kirk’s assassination not be that the threat of violence looms over anyone who speaks his or her mind on a college or university campus. It should be remembered that the murder of Mr. Kirk followed numerous attempts at institutions around the country to deplatform him or use other means to prevent his voice and the voices of others from being heard. All attempts to shut down debate and the airing of diverse opinions at colleges and universities should be deplored by friends of higher education.”
New Case at Texas State University
On September 17, we sent a letter to Texas State University after it terminated a professor over his speech at a socialism conference. Professor Thomas Alter participated in the Revolutionary Socialism Conference on September 7, and discussed the need for a “revolutionary socialist party.” He also advocated for organizing the working-class to “overthrow” the United States government as laid out in the Communist Manifesto. On September 11, Texas State announced that his “actions amounted to serious professional and personal misconduct” and “advocates for inciting violence” and that he had been terminated.
“I write on behalf of the Academic Freedom Alliance to express our firm view that Professor Alter should suffer no formal consequences as the result of this extramural speech,” wrote Keith Whittington in the AFA’s letter. “It is well established that public universities like Texas State University are constrained by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution… American First Amendment law protects a great deal of extreme political rhetoric and has adopted a very narrow understanding of what speech can qualify as illegal incitement to violence that might fall outside the scope of First Amendment protections. Alter’s remarks in his address to this conference do not even approach that constitutional line.”
Membership Updates
We added eight new members since our last update for a total membership of 942. We are close to our goal of surpassing 1000 members this year and appreciate any and all recommendations from our current members that may help us finish strong. Please send any nominations to AFA Director of Operations Howard Muncy at hmuncy@academicfreedom.org.