Court to consider U. of Ga. limitation on most speech to less than 1 percent of campus

WHO: ADF Litigation Staff Counsel Travis Barham

WHAT: Available for media interviews following hearing in Young Americans for Liberty at the University of Georgia v. Morehead

WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 5, immediately after hearing, which begins at 9:30 a.m. EST

WHERE: U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, 115 E. Hancock Ave., Athens

ATHENS, Ga. — Alliance Defending Freedom Litigation Staff Counsel Travis Barham will be available for media interviews following his oral argument in federal court Wednesday against University of Georgia “speech zones” that limit most student group free speech activities to less than one percent of the college’s main campus. If students wish to speak in other locations on campus, the university requires them to get permission 48 hours in advance.

ADF attorneys filed a lawsuit over the zones in May on behalf of Young Americans for Liberty, a non-partisan political student organization.

“Free speech should not be quarantined to less than one percent of a public university campus,” said Barham. “Indeed, public universities are supposed to be the ultimate example of the marketplace of ideas. Students, regardless of their political beliefs, should not have to register with college officials or comply with other arbitrary restrictions to exercise their constitutionally protected freedoms.”

In March 2011, Young Americans for Liberty conducted a debt clock display to draw attention to the mounting national debt. University officials told YAL they needed to cease their expressive activities because it was outside the speech zones.

YAL would like to speak freely, host informational tables and displays, and use hand-held signs on campus outside the designated speech zones but fears punishment from university officials. The policy restricts YAL’s activities, but it also applies to all other students and student groups on campus.