In 2024, college students nationwide engaged in protests related to the war in Israel/Palestine, and students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) were no exception. A group of MIT students launched a pro-Palestine magazine in early 2024, but the MIT administration demanded that they stop publishing or distributing the magazine on campus or face disciplinary action. MIT also threatened discipline if the students distributed the magazine off-campus with any reference to MIT. MIT justified this action by alleging that the publication of this magazine made some fellow students feel “unsafe.” Many human rights groups in the US, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the ACLU, have condemned the actions of many universities against students involved in pro-Palestinian protests. Unfortunately, students nationwide were swept into disciplinary actions for protests or political speech and still face disciplinary suspensions and other actions.

If you or someone you love is facing discipline or threats of discipline at your college or university for protected speech or activity, call the Lento Law Firm. The Lento Law Firm is the premier nationwide student defense firm, and they have helped many students in your position. Call the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team at (888) 535-3686 or leave your details online, and we will contact you.

Free Speech and Violence on Campus

Several US colleges and universities maintain that the 2024 campus protests were a balancing act between free speech and campus safety. The Supreme Court has weighed in on the issue of whether the government (many campuses are public entities) can punish speech that might lead to violent action. In Brandenburg v. Ohio, the Court ruled that the government can only punish speech that intentionally and effectively leads a crowd or group to act violently. In Brandenburg, the speech in question was a veiled threat from a Ku Klux Klan leader that the Klan would take action to protect their viewpoints on racial supremacy. Even that speech, which most Americans would find patently offensive, was protected. While many people believe the Court has also denied protection to “fighting words,” this doctrine applies only to threats made face-to-face to a specific individual and likely would not apply to speech like the MIT students' magazine.

Code of Conduct/Disciplinary Charges

Many American universities fail to examine or protect free speech on campus. Instead, they discipline students, ostensibly for “safety concerns” or code of conduct violations. Many students nationwide face questionable charges for engaging in what they believed was protected speech. The Lento Law Firm stands with students and their rights, regardless of viewpoint. Disciplinary charges have destroyed many promising student careers. Particularly in 2024, the charges against students are often grossly disproportionate to the alleged conduct and may be undertaken to cool protests and limit political speech. Banning a student magazine, even off campus, seems a perfect example of the misuse of student discipline or threats of discipline.

How the Lento Law Firm Can Help

The Lento Law Firm is the premier, nationwide student defense firm. We represent students facing disciplinary charges for all types of alleged violations, including many who engaged in actions in 2024. If you face discipline, threats, or other actions based on speech, call us at (888) 535-3686 or leave your details online, and we will contact you.