HRP Chairman Calls for UH Hilo Chancellor to Uphold Students’ First Amendment Rights

News Release from Hawaii GOP, May 6, 2014

HONOLULU – On Saturday, Hawaii Republican Party Chairman Pat Saiki addressed the Maui County Republican Convention at the University of Hawaii Maui Campus.

Having been born and raised in Hilo she expressed shock and dismay that the University of Hawaii administrators on the Hilo campus would discriminate against their students who were handing out copies of the United States Constitution.  It seems the students had been exiled to a “free speech zone” in a remote area of the campus and when they attempted to move closer to where the other student tables were located, they were denied access.

“I always thought Americans were guaranteed free speech – especially on a university campus,” she said. “Students should be encouraged to express their opinions and be allowed diversity of opinion.  It’s a shame that they have to go to court and sue to be assured of their First Amendment rights. Our universities should encourage freedom of expression, independent thinking and open-mindedness.  I hope the UH Hilo Chancellor corrects these inequities.”

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Related: Lawsuit: Students Ordered to Stop Handing Out US Constitution at UH Hilo