Tennessee’s Charlie Kirk Act bans student walkouts, protects conservative speakersCollege students who participate in walkouts could be suspended or expelled under a new measure passed by the Tennessee General Assembly on Monday.
The Charlie Kirk Act, named for the late conservative activist, addresses free speech on college campuses.
HB 1476/ SB 1741 would require colleges and universities to sign the University of Chicago’s policy on freedom of speech — and prohibit administrations from uninviting a speaker based on their opposition to abortion or LGBTQ rights.
“We want to be the gold standard for having public colleges and universities that are known to be neutral when it comes to divisive political and social issues,” said bill sponsor Rep. Gino Bulso, R-Franklin.
The act would bring disciplinary action against students and faculty members that who disrupt a guest speaker by protesting or staging a walkout. Under the proposal, student organizations could legally deny membership or leadership positions to other students if they disagree with their “lifestyle.”
Bulso said despite its namesake, the bill is non-partisan.
“It’s named after him, not because he had a conservative viewpoint, but because he actually gave his life in the defense of freedom of expression and doing so in a civil manner,” Bulso said.......
https://wpln.org/post/tennessees-charlie-kirk-act-bans-student-walkouts-protects-conservative-speakers/
