Campus Free Speech Act moves on to Senate. <\/p>\n
Despite Democratic arguments, a Republican-led bill that punishes student protests at the University of Wisconsin is moving on. <\/p>\n
The Campus Free Speech Act passed the Assembly by a 61-36 vote. It moves to the Senate, where a similar bill was already introduced. <\/p>\n
A UW System student who interrupts a speaker twice would constitute suspension for a semester, while a third offense would mean expulsion. <\/p>\n
\"We don't allow free speech here like we should, as people in the gallery can't sit quietly and protest with a piece of tape across their mouths,\" Representative Jill Billings, D-La Crosse, said of the Capitol rotunda. \"I don't think we are the role model on free speech - that we should be legislating what should happen on campus.\" <\/p>\n
Billings pointed out that it's not even a reoccurring problem. <\/p>\n
\"I'm not happy when speakers are shouted down on campus,\" she admitted. \"The fact is, that doesn't happen all the time. A few cases have been cherry picked, mostly outside of Wisconsin.\" <\/p>\n
Lead sponsor Rep. Jesse Kremer, R-Kewaskum, said. \"Around the country we've had situations that have gotten to the point of demonstration shout downs and we do not want to get to that point in Wisconsin.\" <\/p>\n
Rep. Chris Taylor, D-Madison, pointed out that not one speaker has ever been silenced from a protester on a UW campus, and said the bill\"bags and gags\" First Amendment rights. She added that the irony that \"Assembly Bill 299 (that) \"protects\" free speech by restricting it for our UW System students. <\/p>\n
Taylor went on to argue Republican lawmakers keep restricting opposing speech at the Capitol since assuming control. They've restricted protesters from gathering at the rotunda, a public forum where people are entitled to the most heightened protection on speech. <\/p>\n
Those who run the show have shown hostility to free speech and hostility to the university, Rep. Jonathan Brostoff, D-Milwaukee, added. <\/p>\n
Billings was also upset that UW System president Ray Cross was not spoken to. <\/p>\n
\"I don't think it's by accident that this bill came out for the public hearing during finals week,\" Billings pointed out. \"I'm disappointed president Cross was not consulted.\" <\/p>\n
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Democrats speak out, as Republican bill aimed at silencing UW protesters passes - La Crosse's NewsTalk 1410AM 92.3FM<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Campus Free Speech Act moves on to Senate. Despite Democratic arguments, a Republican-led bill that punishes student protests at the University of Wisconsin is moving on. The Campus Free Speech Act passed the Assembly by a 61-36 vote. Continue reading