Texas Students Sue Over Campus Speech Ban
At the University of Texas, a group of students is fighting back against a sweeping new state law they say silences campus life itself.
The measure - Senate Bill 2972, branded by lawmakers as the Campus Protection Act — forbids almost every form of expressive activity on campus during the night hours.
On paper, it’s meant to restore order after last year’s heated wave of protests. In practice, critics argue, it treats students less like citizens and more like trespassers in their own communities.
Now those students, joined by a diverse mix of organizations and supported by a national free-speech watchdog, have taken the matter to federal court.
What the Law Actually Says
Starting this semester, Texas campuses are supposed to go quiet between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. No speeches, no rallies, no music performances, nothing that could be classified as “expressive activity.”
The law doesn’t stop there. For the final two weeks of every semester, the rules get even tighter, banning sound systems, drums, tents, guest speakers, and even masks.
Supporters argue it’s common sense: less chaos during finals, fewer sleepless nights for students trying to study. But opponents say the wording is so broad that it’s hard to tell what isn’t covered.
How Students Say They’re Being Silenced
The lawsuit paints a vivid picture of how everyday campus traditions could suddenly become violations of state law.
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Religious groups point out that many faith practices — sunrise prayers, evening vigils — fall squarely within the banned hours.
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Musicians and performers fear they’ll be punished simply for rehearsing late at night, a time when campus quads often come alive.
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Student journalists warn that late-night editorial meetings, when big stories often break, could be treated as unlawful expression.
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Political organizations say even wearing a slogan-covered T-shirt after dark could technically be a problem.
The plaintiffs argue the law effectively forces students to “switch off” large parts of their campus life, creating expression-free zones that go far beyond controlling disruptive protests.
Why the Legislature Passed It
The measure didn’t come out of nowhere. In spring 2024, Texas campuses were roiled by demonstrations tied to the Israel–Hamas conflict.
At several universities, students pitched tents, held all-night vigils, and clashed with administrators who were scrambling to maintain order. By summer, lawmakers moved quickly to draft a bill that would prevent similar scenes in the future.
To its backers, SB 2972 is about keeping campuses focused on education. To its critics, it’s a political reaction dressed up as a safety measure.
The Lawsuit and Its Players
The case has attracted an unusual alliance of plaintiffs:
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The Texas Society of Unconventional Drummers, who say their nighttime practices are now forbidden.
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The Fellowship of Christian University Students, for whom evening prayer is central.
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Young Americans for Liberty, a libertarian group that hosts talks and debates.
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A student newspaper, worried its staff can’t operate under the law’s vague wording.
They’re represented by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), which has a track record of winning campus speech battles nationwide. FIRE is pushing for an injunction to freeze the law before it reshapes student life this semester.
The First Amendment Test
At its heart, the lawsuit is about whether Texas lawmakers went too far. The First Amendment doesn’t forbid all restrictions - universities can set reasonable rules on the “time, place, and manner” of expression. But those rules must be neutral, narrow, and leave other ways for speech to happen.
The students argue SB 2972 fails all three tests. It’s not narrow, because it blocks everything from protests to prayers. It’s not neutral, because it allows administrators wide discretion.
And it doesn’t leave alternatives, because shutting down expression for ten hours a day leaves little room to maneuver.
The UT System has stayed mostly quiet, saying only that the law is under review. Administrators may soon find themselves caught in the middle, pressed by lawmakers on one side and students on the other.
The federal court will decide soon whether to grant a temporary block on the law. That ruling could arrive within weeks and will set the tone for a longer legal battle that may stretch into the appellate courts.
For students, though, the stakes feel immediate. They see their campus as more than a place to attend class, it’s where they pray, create, argue, and publish. And they say SB 2972 tells them all of that must stop the moment the clock strikes ten.
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization founded in 1999 to defend free speech and individual rights. Originally focused on college campuses, FIRE has secured more than 500 advocacy victories, reformed hundreds of campus policies, and supported rights-protective legislation across the U.S. In 2022, it expanded its mission beyond higher education to champion free expression nationwide. Based in Philadelphia, FIRE provides advocacy, legal support, and public education to ensure the First Amendment remains a living protection for all Americans.
People Also Ask
Can Texas ban student protests entirely?
No. Schools can regulate when and where protests happen, but broad bans often collapse under constitutional review.
Does the First Amendment protect prayer on campus?
Yes. Public universities must allow religious expression on equal footing with other types of speech.
Why is the law called the Campus Protection Act?
Lawmakers framed it as a way to shield universities from disruption, particularly during finals week, though critics say it’s really about silencing dissent.
Who is backing the lawsuit?
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), a nonprofit that has fought dozens of free-speech battles on campuses across the U.S.
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