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Summary
In 2016, Georgia Gwinnett College officials stopped student Chike Uzuegbunam not once, but twice, from peacefully sharing his Christian faith with fellow students on his college campus. First, officials said he had to get advance permission to use one of two tiny speech zones that made up far less than 1% of the campus and were only open 10% of the week. Despite following these policies, Chike was again prevented from speaking. After ADF challenged the unconstitutional policies, Georgia Gwinnett argued that Chike’s speech should receive no constitutional protection, changed its policy, and claimed it should be able to avoid any penalty for violating Chike’s free speech rights. Two courts agreed. Now the Supreme Court has agreed to hear Chike’s case.
Watch
Religious Freedom
WATCH: Why Chike’s College Should Be Held Responsible for Violating His RightsColleges and universities are supposed to promote the free exchange of ideas as they raise the next generations of leaders. When they don’t, courts should hold them responsible.
Culture
We Don’t Need to “Change America”—We Need to Protect Our Fundamental FreedomsWe don't need to “change America” by redefining our founding principles and restricting our most cherished liberties. Quite the opposite.
Religious Freedom
How This Supreme Court Case Could Affect the Free Speech of Us AllIs our current American culture hostile toward free speech? You need look no further than Chike Uzuegbunam’s story to find the answer.
Life
The Frederick Douglass Foundation v. District of ColumbiaPro-life groups sue DC for censoring, arresting students chalking on public sidewalks
Religious Freedom
Meriwether v. The Trustees of Shawnee State UniversityADF represents professor illegally disciplined for declining male student’s demand to be addressed as a woman
Religious Freedom
L.B. v. Simpson County School DistrictMS public school prohibits 3rd-grade student from wearing ‘Jesus Loves Me’ face mask
Legal Documents
Biographies
Kristen K. Waggoner
General Counsel
Kristen K. Waggoner serves as General Counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom. Her role includes oversight of the U.S. legal division, a team of 100 attorneys and staff who engage in litigation, public advocacy, and legislative support.
John Bursch
Vice President of Appellate Advocacy, Senior Counsel
John Bursch is vice president of appellate advocacy and senior counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom.
Tyson Langhofer
Senior Counsel, Director of the Center for Academic Freedom
Tyson C. Langhofer serves as senior counsel and director of the Center for Academic Freedom with Alliance Defending Freedom.
Additional Resources
One-page summary
SCOTUSblog case page: Uzuegbunam v. Preczewski
Adam Liptak: A College’s ‘Free Speech Areas’ Face Supreme Court Review (The New York Times, 2020-08-17)
John Bursch: Supreme Court to decide if constitutional rights are only valuable when a price tag is on them (Washington Times, 2020-07-15)
Matt Lamb: New Supreme Court case could make it easier for students to defend free-speech rights (The College Fix, 2020-07-14)
Travis C. Barham: Georgia College Remains Unchastened For Saying Handing Out Pamphlets Is ‘Disorderly Conduct’ (The Federalist, 2020-04-27)
Chike Uzuegbunam: Atheists, Jews, Muslims, Catholics all asking Supreme Court to defend rights my college violated (Daily Wire, 2020-04-07)
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