‘Hosty v. Carter’: Promise Kept, Brief Filed

On September 19, FIRE made a promise. Here is what our press release said:

The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) is rallying opposition to Hosty v. Carter, a recent Seventh Circuit decision that could be used to severely restrict student speech. On Friday, the plaintiffs’ attorney filed the formal petition to the United States Supreme Court to reverse the ruling, and today FIRE releases its policy statement condemning the opinion. FIRE also plans to file an amicus brief and is seeking to forge a broad coalition opposing the decision.

Well, we kept our promise. Today, we filed our amicus brief with the Supreme Court, and we were joined by a remarkable coalition. As our latest press release puts it:

FIRE’s brief was joined by a remarkable coalition of nonprofit groups including Accuracy in Academia, the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, the Coalition for Student & Academic Rights, Feminists for Free Expression, the First Amendment Project, Ifeminists.net, the Individual Rights Foundation, the Leadership Institute, the National Association of Scholars, and Students for Academic Freedom.

It is unfortunate that such a disastrous decision was ever issued in the first place. But we are pleased to stand in opposition to it—and, more importantly, in support of students’ rights—and thrilled that so many others have joined us. FIRE thanks our fellow amici for their support and looks forward to fighting the next battle in this war.