Florida International University students held a walkout on Tuesday, protesting Governor Ron DeSantis’ recent actions against free speech. The protest drew a large turnout and was praised by David Hogg, who retweeted the announcement of the event.
The governor has come under fire for signing legislation that critics say effectively silences dissenting voices. The measure, known as HB 233, requires state universities and colleges to survey faculty members and students about their political beliefs every year. It also prohibits institutions from limiting or restricting freedom of expression on campus.
However, opponents argue that the law is simply an attempt to intimidate those who speak out against DeSantis’ policies. They worry that it will give conservative groups license to harass professors and students whose views they disagree with.
The protest at FIU comes amid growing concerns about censorship in America. Many have pointed to social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook as examples of companies that have stifled free speech by censoring certain types of content.
At the same time, however, some experts argue that restrictions on speech may be necessary during times of crisis – such as during a pandemic. For example, misinformation about COVID-19 can lead to dangerous health outcomes if people take false information seriously.
DeSantis has been criticized for his handling of the pandemic in Florida. Despite soaring case numbers in recent weeks due to the Delta variant surge across the US., he has refused to impose mask mandates or other measures designed to slow transmission rates.
Some commentators have speculated that this stance is part of a broader effort by Republicans nationwide to downplay COVID-19’s severity and politicize public health measures aimed at curbing its spread.
Regardless of these debates over free speech versus public health policy, many now see Florida’s new law as one more step towards limiting Americans’ ability to express their opinions freely – especially those critical of politicians like DeSantis who are increasingly seen as hostile towards dissenting voices within their own state.
In recent years, many conservatives have expressed concern about what they see as censorship and self-censorship on college campuses across the country. They argue that liberal professors and administrators are silencing conservative voices by refusing to allow them to speak or express their opinions in class.
Critics of this narrative point out that there is little evidence to support these claims. In fact, studies show that most college students feel comfortable expressing their political views openly – regardless of whether those views are conservative or liberal.
Still, some worry that laws like HB 233 will embolden right-wing groups who already feel marginalized on campus – leading to more harassment and intimidation against vulnerable groups like LGBTQ+ students, people of color, and women.
Ultimately, the debate over free speech and censorship is likely to continue long after DeSantis leaves office. But for now at least, it seems clear that Florida’s new law has made it even harder for dissenting voices within the state’s universities and colleges to be heard.