Campus groups look at freedom of speech
by Neil Bergin
The Metropolitan
A huge anti-abortion exhibit that was displayed in the center of the
Auraria campus for all to see last week has caused an eruption of controversy.
A key issue in the debate was whether the display was covered by the
First Amendment rights of freedom of speech and freedom of expression.
According to Auraria Campus Police Chief Heather Coogan, the exhibit
did fall within those parameters.
"We do believe in Freedom of Speech and we don't take sides,"
Coogan said.
She added that she heard from students, faculty and staff who were outraged
that the display was allowed on campus.
"It's totally contrary to the Constitution," Coogan said.
In order to put up such a display, the group requesting a permit must
be a registered student group.
To register an event you have to have the proper forms. They had drawings
and a whole set of explanations (for the display).
At a press conference in the Tivoli held last Wednesday, several women
on campus disputed the Constitutional right of the Wichita group "Justice
For All" to put up the display, calling it "obscene."
Anna Sampaio, a political science professor at UCD, was the most vocal
at the press conference, saying the display should not have been allowed
due to the way it disrupted life on campus.
Metro student Julia Glennon said although the exhibit was disruptive,
she believed it should be allowed.
"They do have the right to be there, Glennon said, "(But) you're
worried about classes, not what you think about abortion. You're trying
to focus on finals."
Metro student Jared Rice, a member of the student organization Creative
Resistance, agreed Freedom of Speech was a right both groups had, but
that Justice For All, a national group, had superior resources.
"They have free speech and we have free speech, but they can be
bigger and louder and publicize more than we can. We're a student group
and they're a national group," Rice said.
He estimated that Justice For all spends $20,000 to move the display
from campus-to-campus, while Creative Resistance had $150 to put up their
more modest display of 18-foot women across the quadrangle to advocate
for women's rights. Another student organization, the Feminist Alliance
joined Creative Resistance in constructing the figures, which they managed
in a single day.
Creative Resistance created their display to offset the message Justice
For All was trying to send.
Chief Coogan said the ACPD had three officers posted at the exhibit at
all times and one or two roamers at all times.
Coogan provided an ACPD form, which listed the laws relevant to demonstrations
and gatherings.
Disrupting lawful assembly stated that "It is illegal to obstruct
or interfere with a gathering or meeting by any physical action, verbal
communication, or any other means."
Coogan said that since all the proper forms had been filled out and Justice
For All was a registered student group, their exhibit fell under the parameters
of a legal demonstration.
A document found at freedomforum.org outlines the rights protected by
the First Amendment.
In the paper, "Education for Freedom," it says "When faced
with unpopular views or unrefined speech, members of the public may ask,
'Why doesn't the government do something about that?' The answer? Neither
the government nor a majority of the public has the authority to stop
an unpopular idea."
"I've heard faculty say they think it should be censored-contrary
to the Academic Bill of Rights (which many faculty support)," Coogan
said. She also said she believes Freedom of Speech is very important,
and feared censorship of exhibits like this one could erode it.
"We do believe in Freedom of Speech, and we don't take sides."
Heather Coogan,
Auraria Campus
Police Chief
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