US Supreme Court Takes Religious Freedom Case of College Students Denied Justice by Lower Courts

Jul 17, 2020

College Free Speech

The U.S. Supreme Court will take up a dispute between a former Georgia Gwinnett College student and campus administrators over Christian evangelism on campus. On Thursday, the Supreme Court agreed to hear a case filed by, Chike Uzuegbunam, who previously sued the educational institution after his attempts to preach the gospel on campus were shut down twice. 
 
According to the Alliance Defending Freedom, two federal courts looked the other way and chose not to examine whether or not the college infringed on the First Amendment rights of the students “because officials modified their unconstitutional speech policies after the case was filed.” The student appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing that nominal damages are an important basis for pursuing civil rights claims, and that government agencies often change policies that have been challenged even after some plaintiffs have suffered constitutional violations.
 
The court will decide whether a government agency's change to an allegedly unconstitutional policy is enough to make a lawsuit challenging that policy moot when the plaintiff seeks only nominal damages.


News Sources:

US Supreme Court Takes Case Of College Student Denied Justice By Lower Courts

Supreme Court to Hear Georgia Gwinnet College Case About Religion, Free Speech

Georgia Gwinnett College free speech battle goes to U.S. Supreme Court

Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Christian Student’s Case Against Restrictive Campus Speech Policy
If you enjoyed this news story, help us continue providing these stories by giving your financial gift.

Subscribe to Email Updates

Subscribe

Donate to FACT

Make a Donation
Subscribe