The dean of Stanford Law School has mandated a course on free speech for all faculty, staff, and students.
A video surfaced showing that a Trump appointee to the federal bench was going to be shouted down at Stanford Law School by demonstrators, and the associate dean of diversity, equality, and inclusion was placed on leave as a result.
Dean Steinbach’s assistant Tirien is now out of the office. On Wednesday, Jenny S. Martinez, dean of Stanford Law, sent a message to the Stanford community saying she would not be discussing ongoing personnel matters in the media. The digital arm of Fox News was able to pick up this transmission.
Earlier this month, conservative legal group The Federalist Society welcomed Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Kyle Duncan to campus to give a speech. There were demonstrations because of this.
His speech was interrupted on March 9 by students shouting and waving protest placards. Protesters voiced particular concern that in a 2020 ruling, Duncan would fail to use the transgender sex offender’s preferred pronouns.
Steinbach did nothing to stop the protesters and even mocked one of their banners, as seen by the footage.
Martinez made a statement on Wednesday claiming that Steinbach received “hateful and threatening messages” after the event “went viral online and in the media.”
She promised that if we received any threats that may be considered legal claims, we would investigate them.
Martinez documented everything that happened and concluded that the demonstration was disruptive to campus and against university rules.
As long as attendees don’t “prevent or disrupt the effective carrying out of a University function or approved activity, such as lectures, meetings, interviews, ceremonies, and public events,” they are free to express their disagreement using signs and other visuals.
Martinez stated that while some demonstrators remained on campus and did not violate any policies, others “crossed the line” by yelling and disturbing the event.
When Steinbach tried to continue, Duncan stopped him and remarked that his work as a federal judge damages everyday people. Continued Steinbach. Steinbach has expressed concern over Duncan’s continued presence on campus, calling it “uncomfortable.”
It was just too much trouble to keep it up here any longer. I’m not attempting to manipulate your emotions by sharing this with you. Fearful though Steinbach was, he confided in Duncan. It worries me because it poses a danger to the peace of the neighborhood I care about and am sworn to protect.
Ted Cruz, a Republican senator from Texas, called for punishment of students who participated in the protests and demanded that the school issue an apology to the court for what the protestors had done.
Freedom of Speech started by circulating a petition to have Steinbach removed from his position.
On Wednesday, Martinez sent Duncan an apology for her and Stanford President Marc Tessier-Lavigne’s missteps earlier this month.
The president of the school sent a letter of apology to Judge Duncan for the fact that he was unable to finish his prepared remarks.
Students protested Martinez’s initial apology last week by assembling outside his classroom while wearing masks and waving posters reading “counter-speech is free speech.”
On behalf of the law school’s many student organizations, Martinez drafted a lengthy statement in support of the Federalist Society’s right to free association.
She said that law students who urge the administration to restrict the activities of the group or the speakers it may invite are asking for something that runs counter to the freedom of expression and freedom of association for which civil rights attorneys fought so hard in the 20th century.
Martinez has declared that to ensure that university regulations are obeyed, both administrators and students would be required to undergo free speech training.
She also mentioned that person would receive further training to ensure that the university’s rules on disruption of events adhere properly.
First, Martinez has announced that all law students would be required to attend a half-day seminar on free expression and academic standards in the legal profession during the upcoming spring quarter.
According to Martinez, the Federalist Society enjoys the same First Amendment protections as any other student organization.
The rally was permitted by the dean, but no disruptions were allowed.