UNC Chapel Hill’s commencement was held the day before Monday’s DEI announcement. At the ceremony, football stadium screens displayed a message that read: “Anyone who does not leave or put down signs when asked will be removed and arrested. Thank you for your cooperation.”
For those in the back, this isn’t ok. This isn’t freedom. This isn’t American. This isn’t free speech.
You’re right. It’s not a free speech issue on private property. I’ve been attending protests for over 25 years. You need to know the law before you dig in your heels, or accept the inevitability that the protest can legally be shut down. Resisting after request for disbandment will only catch a charge.
The way to play is cat and mouse. They say no signs, you make t-shirts and chant. They say no t-shirts, you use skin paint…
My point is understanding the law can help you work around it. Pushing back with constitutional rights claims on private property won’t get you anything but arrested. Just be more clever than those setting the rules. They legally have to warn you that the conduct is unacceptable before taking action. Then you just change the conduct to comply while continuing to protest.
For those in the back, this isn’t ok. This isn’t freedom. This isn’t American. This isn’t free speech.
Oh, it’s pretty fucking American…
You’re right. It’s not a free speech issue on private property. I’ve been attending protests for over 25 years. You need to know the law before you dig in your heels, or accept the inevitability that the protest can legally be shut down. Resisting after request for disbandment will only catch a charge.
The way to play is cat and mouse. They say no signs, you make t-shirts and chant. They say no t-shirts, you use skin paint…
Then they buy everywhere so you have nowhere legal to protest.
My point is understanding the law can help you work around it. Pushing back with constitutional rights claims on private property won’t get you anything but arrested. Just be more clever than those setting the rules. They legally have to warn you that the conduct is unacceptable before taking action. Then you just change the conduct to comply while continuing to protest.
Is UNC not a state university?
They have a conduct policy as well.
https://catalog.unc.edu/policies-procedures/university-policies/
What was the point of that second sentence when the threat of non-cooperation is arrest?