MADISON, Wis. — University of Wisconsin students who repeatedly disrupt campus speakers or presentations could be suspended or expelled under a Republican-backed bill the state Assembly passed Wednesday.
The measure, approved on a 61-36 vote Wednesday night with no Democrats in support, is the latest salvo in the national push among some conservatives to crack down on disruptions they say is quelling free speech on liberal college campuses. Conservatives are worried that right-wing speakers aren’t given equal treatment as liberal campus presenters, while other students have complained about free expression fanning hate speech.
Democrats, who didn’t have the votes to stop the bill in the Assembly, blasted it as an unconstitutional attack on freedom of speech.
“It basically gags and bags the First Amendment,” said Democratic Rep. Chris Taylor of Madison.
Republican backers told reporters that the bill would protect speech from those who repeatedly try to quash it.
“We have to lay down some groundwork here and we have to create a behavioral shift so everyone can be heard and has the right to express their views,” said the measure’s sponsor Republican Rep. Jesse Kremer.
The proposal must still pass the GOP-controlled Senate and be signed by Gov. Scott Walker before becoming law.
