Thread by @TheFIREorg

BREAKING: We're challenging Florida's unconstitutional "Stop WOKE Act."

Because you can't censor your way to free speech.

thefire.org/lawsuit-fire-c…

Today, we sued on behalf of a University of South Florida professor, student, and student group. The suit challenges politicians' attempt to prohibit certain discussions of race and sex in higher ed.

We must protect professors' ability to teach and students’ ability to learn.

Sam Rechek doesn't want the government to dictate what conversations can happen in college classes.

That’s why he’s fighting censorship with a lawsuit against Florida’s unconstitutional Stop WOKE Act.

What is the Stop WOKE Act? (aka #HB7)

👉suppresses viewpoints disfavored by Florida lawmakers
👉threatens millions in funding for universities that don’t crack down on faculty who "promote" an opinion on a government blacklist
👉all in the name of "individual freedom"!

Political leaders' absurd argument is that to protect free speech, the government must censor the people of Florida.

"Without the freedom to engage in vigorous and robust debate about important issues and contentious concepts, a college education is just an exercise in memorizing facts and repeating government-approved viewpoints," said FIRE's @adamsteinbaugh.

That's not freedom or education.

The law unlawfully regulates discussions of advantages of a race or sex, unconscious biases, and whether virtues like hard work and racial colorblindness are racist.

In restricting what ideas may be considered in college, Florida’s leaders ran headlong into the First Amendment.

The law is stuffed to the gills with vague language that leaves professors unsure which lessons are government-approved and which could result in punishment or termination.