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Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Some people seem to be confused about Monday's events surrounding Meyer, accusing the UPD of censoring Meyer's free speech. This is not the case, so let's give credit where credit is due.

Don't get me wrong, the police were way out of line to arrest and Taser a lone, unarmed student. Despite the officers' claims, Meyer was not being violent. They should be punished, and all charges against Meyer should be dropped.

But the cops, in true pawn-like, we're-just-following-orders fashion, were not responsible for the decision to censor Meyer' s speech. No, the blame for that lies squarely on Accent, which "cut off the microphone because Meyer used profanity,C said Accent chairman Steven Blank.

Accent deemed it necessary to protect a room full of adults from hearing the word "blowjob,C the uttering of which was not entirely inappropriate, and certainly not profane in the context of its use.

In 1969, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that free-speech rights extended to students in school. Accent, as an agency of Student Government, infringed on Meyer's First Amendment right when it silenced him and must be held accountable. Perhaps this issue should be taken to the SG Supreme Court.

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