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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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UI Drops Speech Complaint Vs. Student

After FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights in Education) intervened, the University of Idaho (UI) abandoned disciplinary charges of "harass[ment]" and "discrimination" against student Alexander Rowson relating to political statements he made at two campus events. On or about March 30, during César Chávez Day at UI, there was a musical performance in the food court in UI's student union building. The music was loud enough that, in Rowson's opinion, it was disrupting his class nearby. Between songs, Rowson went to the microphone and made a political statement about "how illegal immigration destroyed my home state of California." His impromptu protest lasted roughly thirty seconds, he says, and then the performance continued/Peter Bonilla, FIRE. More here.

Question: Should the University of Idaho have brought student Rowson up for disciplinary action in these situations?



D.F. Oliveria
D.F. (Dave) Oliveria joined The Spokesman-Review in 1984. He currently is a columnist and compiles the Huckleberries Online blog and writes about North Idaho in his Huckleberries column.

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