Florida’s flagship university is blocking three professors from providing expert testimony to groups challenging the state’s contentious new voting law, a marked turnabout that critics say is a violation of First Amendment rights and academic freedom
TALLAHASSEE — Florida’s flagship university is under fire for violating the free speech rights of three professors it blocked from testifying in a lawsuit challenging the state’s new law voting restrictions.
"As Americans, we have a First Amendment right to exercise our free speech on our own time. We will not back down from the University of Florida's decision," said Michael McDonald, a UF political science professor who was one of the three blocked from testifying in the suit.against Democrats — was passed at DeSantis’s behest. It
University of Florida professor Daniel Smith, who is currently the head of the school’s political science department, was told that “outside activities that may pose a conflict of interest to the executive branch of the state of Florida create a conflict for the University of Florida.” “It is actually by prohibiting Dr. Smith’s speech that the University is contravening the repeatedly expressed free[1]speech values of the State of Florida and its Governor,” Tilley wrote. “But perhaps most importantly, UF simply should not be looking to Governor DeSantis to decide which speech activities it will permits its employees and students to engage in. That is precisely the opposite of the values that universities are thought to stand for.
Officials with the Gainesville-based school contended they were not violating the free speech rights of the professors. Christina Pushaw, a spokesperson for DeSantis, did not comment and instead just provided a copy of one of the court filings in the case.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
University of Florida blocks professors from testifying in voting rights case challenging state's restrictive election lawThe University of Florida has blocked three professors from testifying on behalf of plaintiffs in a lawsuit seeking to overturn the state's new restrictive voting law, attorneys said in a court filing, according to The New York Times.
Read more »
University of Florida prohibits professors from testifyingORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The University of Florida is prohibiting three professors from providing expert testimony in a lawsuit challenging a new law that critics claim restricts voting rights, saying it goes against the school's interest by conflicting with the administration of Florida Gov.
Read more »
University of Florida Orders Professors to Stay Out of Voting Rights CaseSpohpatuf/Wikimedia CommonsThe University of Florida has ordered its professors not to take part in a case challenging voting rights restrictions, saying it would put them on a collision course with the state government.The lawsuit’s plaintiffs want to question Gov. Ron DeSantis about the university’s decision, but his lawyers have balked, arguing any discussions he had about it would contain privileged information.The suit seeks to overturn Florida’s new law restricting voting rights, similar t
Read more »
DeSantis announces new lawsuit against Biden administration over vaccine mandate requirement for federal contractorsFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a lawsuit against the Biden administration over the President's order imposing a vaccine mandate on federal contractors
Read more »
Florida leads U.S. in lowest Covid cases, DeSantis touts progressFlorida was once the epicenter of the Covid-19 pandemic but currently the state is reporting the lowest infection rates in the country. Gov. Ron DeSantis sees the declining of cases as a victory, but health experts warn otherwise. NBC News' Kerry Sanders reports.
Read more »
Judge Inclined to Have Burr’s Brother-in-Law Testify in SEC Insider-Trading ProbeA federal judge on Friday said he was inclined to require Sen. Richard Burr’s brother-in-law to testify in an investigation that examines whether the two men engaged in insider trading
Read more »