NY Anti-BDS Bills Threaten First Amendment Rights; UPDATE: NY to Blacklist Businesses Engaged in Boycott
New York legislation that would punish advocates of a boycott of Israel violate First Amendment rights
Victory! This One Summer Back on Library Shelves
An award-winning graphic novel was removed from high school libraries in Florida after the parent of a third-grader complained. The district thankfully reversed its decision.
Free Speech Friday: Trump Art, Campus Free Speech, Textbook Destroyed
Some key free speech headlines from the week: Debates over the nature of the threat to campus free speech, Trump art blocked on Facebook, and more.
Hanover Students Stand Against “Beloved Bill” in Virginia
Students are speaking out against legislation that would require parental notification of the teaching of "sexually explicit content" in public schools.
He Said/She Said: That’swhatshesaid
A claim of copyright infringement attempts to shut down a show about the silencing of women.
Free Speech Friday: Don’t Joke About Trump, Censoring Climate, Clinton’s Free Speech Record
Trouble With a Trump joke in a new movie? Plus an effort to protect student journalists in Maryland, and a plan to thwart teaching climate change in West Virginia schools.
‘That’s Not Funny!’: Youth Film Contest Winners
The winners are here! The top three submissions in the 2015 Youth Free Expression Film Contest.
Catherine Ross: “Freedom of Speech is the Engine Oil of Democracy”
Author Catherine Ross speaks to NCAC about schools and free speech: "In many communities across the country, the adults who would like to censor student expression are much louder and more influential that the adults who hope that schools will allow students to learn how to exercise their rights."
In Defense of Offense: Student Artwork in Kentucky
What happens when a cop complains that student artwork is “propaganda?”
Free Speech Friday: Trump, Apple vs. FBI, Johnny Cash and Gloria Steinem
Trump Aims to Sue Journalists "Like You've Never Got Sued Before" Right Wing Watch reports Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump fired up supporters at a rally with a call to undo the First Amendment: “One of the things I’m going to do if I win, and I hope I do and we’re certainly leading, is I’m going to open up our [...]
Florida Man Wants City to Declare Vagina Monologues ‘Inappropriate’
A local businessman wants a Florida city council to bar performances in a publicly-owned theater that he deems inappropriate.
When College Presidents Block Campus Free Speech
Two college presidents have decided that speakers selected by students should not appear on campus.
Changing District’s Book Challenge Policy: An Invitation to Censor?
In Florida, a seemingly minor change to a policy regarding how schools handle book challenges could have far-reaching implications.
Free Speech Friday: LGBT Theater, Campus Free Speech, Scalia
Free Speech Friday: LGBT Theater, Campus Free Speech, Scalia.
Racism Video Should Spark School Discussion– Gets Censored Instead
The video, as it was intended to do, has sparked a lively debate. Shouldn't a school seek to nurture that discussion instead of stifling it?
Free Speech Friday: Facebook, Free Speech Zones and Being Offended
Some of the free speech and censorship news from the week that was.
Students Form Gay-Straight School Club. What’s the Problem?
At Franklin County High School in Tennessee, some students and parents are outraged by the very existence of the Gay-Straight Alliance.
Hysteria Over Graphic Novel in Florida
A local TV news outlet is whipping up a frenzy in Florida schools over an award-winning graphic novel.
Free Speech Friday: Newspaper Nipples, Satanism and Bernie Sanders
Free speech highlights from the week: Facebook deletes marijuana pages. Georgetown tells students they can't engage in political speech, a high school newspaper is censored.
Anti-Racism Activism Stifled at Boston College?
Sometimes the real threat to free speech doesn't come from campus activists but administrators.
‘That’s Not Funny!’ Youth Free Expression Film Contest Winners
We're down to a dozen! Here are the semifinalists in this year's Youth Free Expression Film Contest.
Connecticut High School Cancels Edited ‘American Idiot’ Show
Complaints from a few parents have apparently canceled a Connecticut high school's performance of 'American Idiot.'
Does “Lives Matter” Art Matter? Florida Association Has No Place for Political Art
After two visitors complained about a painting, a small gallery space in Vero Beach told an artist to remove the piece.
Florida Bills Threaten Science Instruction and Freedom to Read
Two new bills are designed to empower ideologically-driven activists to shape what is taught in Florida's classrooms.
Are Millennials Iffy on Free Speech?
Are young people not so hot on free speech these days? Maybe. But it's not a new thing, and it's not just young people.
15 Threats to Free Speech in 2015
Free speech zones. Book banning. Facebook's nudity rules. The hysteria over 'Islamic indoctrination.' Let's review just some of the threats to free speech in 2015.
Is a Phallus a Firing Offense?
Did a dispute over phallus props in a theater production cost an adjunct professor his job?
Parents in Virginia Incensed by Arabic Calligraphy Lesson
Complaints about a lesson that included Arabic calligraphy caused an entire school district in Virginia to close down.
Lois Lowry Responds to a Young Reader Bothered By ‘Bad Things’ In Her Novel
"I love that child... she's the one I write for."
Victory: A Year On, University of Kentucky Uncovers Controversial Mural Depicting Slaves
After students voiced their objections, the University of Kentucky has covered a historical mural. The school should seize the opportunity to have serious dialogue.
Religious Group Threatens to Sue School Over Transgender Book Discussion
A conservative law firm threatened to sue a Wisconsin school over a reading and discussion of the picture book I Am Jazz. The district canceled the November 23 reading.
Campus Protests and Free Speech Values
As protests rock several campuses, free speech rights seem to be up for debate. But there is no reason that equality and free speech should be considered opposing values.
Policing Art: Peltier Paintings Removed After Complaints
Former FBI officials successfully remove paintings by Leonard Peltier from a government building in Washington state.
Students Fight Theater Censorship in Indiana
A censorship dispute in Portage, Indiana, was over quickly after it began thanks to the quick action of students.
Another Book Battle in Idaho
An ad hoc committee in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, is again targeting a piece of literature for its language. Are they going too far?
What A Night! NCAC Gala Salutes Free Speech Defenders
On November 3 free speech defenders packed the house at New York's Tribeca 360 for NCAC's annual gala. The event honored acclaimed author Lois Lowry, writer and human rights activist Larry Siems, and the team behind And Tango Makes Three.
15 in ’15: Celebrating This Year’s Free Speech Heroes
From defending challenged library books to promoting campus free speech to identifying nudity double standards on social media, here are a few of the folks we consider Free Speech Heroes in 2015.
2015 Celebration of Free Speech & Its Defenders
On November 3rd, NCAC celebrated another year of free speech advocacy and saluted Lois Lowry, Larry Siems, Justin Richardson, Peter Parnell, and Henry Cole as 2015 Free Speech Defenders. The evening raised funds from generous sponsors, led by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, to support NCAC's mission, and featured performances from Fun Home, a tribute by Alison Bechdel, and inspiring words from each of our honorees. A special [...]
‘Purity’ Panic Over Omaha Sex Ed Curriculum
Parents in Omaha are fired up about proposed changes to the sexual education curriculum. Are they trying to keep their kids "pure," or are they calling for censorship?
Protesting Art: The More the Merrier
It seems like more people are showing up to protest at museums and arts institutions. Is that such a bad thing?