Campus Protesters in US Face Increased Restrictions as New Semester Begins

Universities across the United States have been implementing new rules and guidelines at the start of the academic year, sparking criticism that these restrictions are limiting free speech on campus. New York University added a paragraph about the word “Zionism” in their official student conduct guidelines, stating that using code words like this could still violate their non-discrimination policy. Case Western Reserve University initially limited future protests to two hours before revising the rules to allow for five-hour demonstrations in designated areas. Similarly, Stony Brook University introduced new rules requiring authorisation for posting flyers and banning chalk messages on sidewalks, which came as a surprise to groups like Students for Justice in Palestine. Meanwhile, the Fashion Institute of Technology tightened restrictions on unauthorised overnight activities, raising concerns that student protests could lead to law enforcement actions. Critics argue that these new regulations are stifling students’ ability to engage in political expression and activism on campus. As universities continue to navigate the challenging landscape of free speech, the debate over the balance between upholding campus safety and protecting students’ rights to protest rages on.

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