Similar to holding a protest, members of our community may also wish to express their dissent in a counter-protest or demonstration. When these occasions arise, the expression of all parties is important.
Remember that the university does not tolerate coercive disruption — the physical interference with others’ peaceful exercise of free speech — or conduct that physically endangers or threatens the safety of bystanders.
Coercive disruption includes physically blocking access to a speaking event, physical intimidation of a speaker, and noisemaking that prevents a speaker from being heard. If this kind of conduct occurs during any university-sanctioned activity or function or at an event that has been registered in accordance with the university’s reservation and permit process, the university will act to restore the conditions under which free speech can flourish. Anyone who engages in coercive disruption may be removed and subject to disciplinary action.
Speech that infringes on the First Amendment rights of others is known as the “heckler’s veto.” There is no First Amendment right to shout down a speaker. The use of force or disruption to silence speech is not protected speech — it is a form of censorship which the university does not tolerate. It is especially critical in a community of higher learning to support others’ ability to express their viewpoints.
When conducting a counter-protest, all of the same rules and principles around demonstrations generally apply. Counter-protests must not interfere with or disrupt university functions, block access to our campuses, threaten or harass individuals, damage property, or violate any laws or regulations. And all people participating in protests and demonstrations are expected to provide a form of university-issued identification upon request from a university official.
University officials may designate a separate location for those persons with views that differ from the views held by the event organizers. The Department of Public Safety may have one or more officers in attendance for safety purposes.
In order to help expressive group activities comply with these rules, the university has developed a registration process that is described in the section Planning Your Event.