Political science professor weighs in on new protesting restrictions for Texas universities

UPDATE (5:51 P.M. Oct. 15): U.S. District Judge David A. Ezra has temporarily blocked parts of Senate Bill 2972, stopping the prohibition of overnight “expressive activities,” including the use of speakers, drums and guest speakers.

ORIGINAL STORY:

RIO GRANDE VALLEY – Public institutions of higher education can now impose restrictions on expressive activities from students, faculty and staff after Senate Bill 2972 was passed.

The bill, which came into effect in early September, puts new rules on assemblies, speeches and protests for the last two weeks of a semester.

Political Science Assistant Professor Alvaro Corral explained some of the rulings of the bill.

“There are requirements banning face coverings by those who are engaging in expressive activities,” Corral said. “Banning expressive activities at certain times of night. So, from 10 p.m. to, I think 8 a.m., which of course opens questions about free speech limitations.”

The bill states that some of these measures are to deter activities that “materially and substantially disrupts the functioning of the institution.”

Corral said he thinks the new piece of legislation is only a single piece of a larger debate on freedom of speech.

Speaking on behalf of the Student Government Association’s executive branch, Ian Alfaro, the Vice President for External Affairs, said he thinks the bill may limit students first amendment rights.

“I think students have the right to be able to express their disagreements here on campus,” Alfaro said. “And I think that this bill discourages that a little bit.”

Protests and assemblies can still take place, but without the use of speakers, signs and the distribution of pamphlets.

Alfaro said he welcomes students to share their thoughts to the SGA, since they can relay student concerns to university administrators.

“A lot of things, it’s going to be up to the administrators to decide. And the good thing is that, ‘hey, this is where student government can help you all out because we meet with administrators on a [month to month basis],” Alfaro said.

Alfaro and Corral said that university administrators have not reached out to the SGA and faculty members about SB 2972.

KVAQ-TV reached out to UTRGV administrators and several students organizations, such as the Rio Grande Valley Young Democratic Socialists of America, but did not hear back.