Fort Lauderdale attorney, Deedee Bitran, authored an article titled “UF’s Protest Policy — Constitutional Model for Other Universities Nationwide,” published by Florida Politics.
In the article, Deedee summarizes the nationwide anti-Israel protests on campuses and the University of Florida’s protest policy. Deedee writes “the First Amendment is basic to our Constitution, but it is not limitless, and universities have the right (and responsibility) to regulate the time, place, and manner of such protests to protect their students’ safety.”
Some categories of expression are not constitutionally protected by the First Amendment such as defamation, threats of violence, incitement directed at likely producing imminent unlawful conduct, child pornography, and obscenity. Many of the protests have incited physical violence against students, professors and guest speakers on campuses.
“The University of Florida’s policy allows for speech, holding signs and expression. It is not a ban on speech. The policy is facially neutral, meaning it applies to all protests, regardless of the content. It does not discriminate in any way based on who the speaker/protester is or the nature of the topic that the speaker/protester wishes to address.”
Please click here to read the full article.
About Alamea Deedee Bitran
Alamea Deedee Bitran is a Senior Associate in the Fort Lauderdale office of Shutts & Bowen, where she is a member of the Business Litigation Practice Group. Deedee represents employers, business owners, lenders, purchasers and developers.
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