Disregard for the First Amendment: Law Students and Administrators Display Intolerance towards Opposing Viewpoints
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The disregard for the First Amendment and intolerance of opposing viewpoints displayed by law students and administrators cause significant societal concern.
In a recent event at Stanford Law School, federal circuit court Judge Kyle Duncan was invited to speak by the Federalist Society. His speech, titled “The Fifth Circuit in Conversation with the Supreme Court: Covid, Guns, and Twitter,” allowed attendees to benefit from hearing an elite legal perspective.
However, what occurred was reminiscent of behavior that would not be tolerated in a preschool. Most of the Stanford law student body was outraged by Judge Duncan’s conservative views; some even held up vulgar signs during his speech. The judge was met with jeering, heckling, and name-calling, including being called a “scumbag” and a “liar.”
The behavior of law students and their administrators towards the First Amendment and opposing opinions is concerning and unacceptable. Despite Stanford's supposed firm free speech policy, it was not enforced during federal circuit court Judge Kyle Duncan's speech, which was disrupted by angry students holding profane signs and mocking him with insults. Even more troubling was the response of Tirien Steinbach, the associate dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion, who attacked Judge Duncan instead of calming the students. This mob mentality sends the message that might make right, and the majority can silence that minority voice. It's alarming that future lawyers are more interested in wielding power than respecting different perspectives and individual rights. Although Stanford's president and dean have since apologized, without disciplinary action, their words hold little weight. It's important to remember that the First Amendment and free speech policies should not be disregarded at convenience.
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