(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
MADISON, Wis. Rep. Amanda Nedweski (R–Pleasant Prairie) on Tuesday announced a bill—coauthored with Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R-Appleton), Rep. Dave Murphy (R-Greenville) and Rep. Nate Gustafson (R-Fox Crossing)—that would create statewide protections for free expression and academic freedom across Wisconsin’s public colleges and universities.
In a statement, Nedweski said many campuses have “devolved into ideological echo chambers where dissenting voices…are actively silenced,” arguing the measure is needed to curb viewpoint hostility and retaliation. She cited a 2023 UW System survey showing more than half of students self-censoring, with 70% of Republican students worried about grade penalties for expressing conservative views. She also pointed to an analysis of UW–Madison faculty political donations and FIRE polling at UW–Madison, noting that 35% of students surveyed deemed it acceptable in at least rare circumstances to use violence to stop a campus speaker.
Calling that figure “especially troubling,” Nedweski referenced the recent killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on a college campus, saying it underscores the danger of equating speech with violence. “College campuses are meant to be marketplaces of ideas,” she said. “We cannot let this marketplace of ideas collapse into a marketplace of fear.”
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14 Responses
Because she has nothing else to do?
All these elected officials seem to do is create clickbait. My God! Balance a budget, cut taxes, support ICE with deporting illegal aliens.
Another hang around like Joe Walsh across the border.
Doesn’t seem like it’ll accomplish anything other than paperwork and a lapel pin.
But this is something that needs doing because in this state and all states, college is where the Constitution goes to die.
I just hope Kevin is able to use this photo of Amanda many many times on hopefully more important things in the future.
Keep at it Amanda. Just raise the bar a little
I remember when I spoke out against Hamas at UW Parkside. I was spit on by a student of middle eastern descent. I brushed it off but I think about that a lot lately and this was more than a decade ago…
Hamas are a bunch of unorganized, crazy a** terrorists.
This is improper. Stand by the Constitution and preach article 6 section 2. Free speech does not need protection. Corrupt individuals need to be removed and charged with treason. Then there is no problem.
One would think… but there are often no consequences for violating. This establishes consequences.
My immediate question was “Why is this necessary”, and my suspicion, that it creates CONSEQUENCES for the unconstitutional suppression or denial of our First Amendment right to free speech, is confirmed. From the website for Madison TV station channel 27:
“MADISON (WKOW) – A new bill introduced by four of Wisconsin’s republican legislators focuses on free speech at University of Wisconsin System institutions and technical colleges. The proposed legislation aims to uphold First Amendment protections and ensure due process in disciplinary proceedings.
The bill, co-sponsored by Rep. Amanda Nedweski, Rep. Dave Murphy, Rep. Nate Gustafson, and Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevara, prohibits UW institutions and technical colleges from restricting speech, as long as it’s legal, and “does not materially and substantially disrupt the functioning of the UW institution or technical college”.
Furthermore, it says the schools may not sanction people for discriminatory harassment, barring cases where the speech targets its victim on the basis of lawfully protected class, and is “so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive” that a student cannot receive equal access to educational opportunities.
It proposes the schools must also conduct surveys on academic freedoms and perceived political bias.
Additionally, under the bill, the schools may not enforce time, place, and manner restrictions on expressive activities. It includes public, open outdoor areas, as well as indoor areas and virtual spaces that have been designated as public forums.
It would mandate that any UW institution or technical college found by a state or federal court to have violated free speech or academic freedom laws must include a disclaimer on all admissions notices. This requirement will last for four years. The disclaimer would state: “NOTICE: We are required by the State of Wisconsin to inform you that within the last four years [insert name of UW institution or technical college] has violated the free speech or academic freedom provisions in the Wisconsin statutes.”
The lawmakers proposing the bill say in their sponsorship statement that if dissenting speech is repressed, it creates a culture where violence replaces discourse.”
Colleges are leftist indoctrination camps. This is the truth so save your time arguing about it.
(From the tv news story)
“The bill, co-sponsored by Rep. Amanda Nedweski, Rep. Dave Murphy, Rep. Nate Gustafson, and Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevara, prohibits UW institutions and technical colleges from restricting speech,
!!!!!! as long as it’s legal, !!!!!!!
and “does not materially and substantially disrupt the functioning of the UW institution or technical college”.
as long as it’s legal ???
Isn’t that the whole point ???
That ALL SPEECH IS LEGAL !?!?!
Once again the creation of an unfunded mandate. Is she going to allocate funding for the survey requirements, of course not. This is how local school districts became admin-heavy, creating unnecessary tasks that require management.
Free speech is fine but why do that. Your going to college to learn. Our kids are going to shit. That’s coming from a dairy farmers point of view
Say what you will. She has a great pair!