As Press Coverage Mounts, CCAC Officials Apologize for Delay

As I reported yesterday, FIRE’s case at the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) is drawing more and more attention. This morning, Inside Higher Ed posted an article about the case as did United Press International, which featured the story in its “Top News” section. Along with the mainstream news pressure, dozens more blogs have picked up the story. Additionally, Cam & Company, one of the NRA’s podcast shows, interviewed Robert Shibley on Wednesday, and CCAC student Christine Brashier was featured twice on the program yesterday. Christine was also featured on CBS affiliate KDKA in Pittsburgh. Check out that video here.

I also encouraged all of our supporters to write to the college and demand that justice be served. Dozens more of you have recently answered the call, and with your help we are sending a strong message to the CCAC administration: The public will not tolerate such brazen attempts to stifle free speech on campus. Keep up the pressure!

It is clear that the pressure is being felt at CCAC. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review today posted an engaging story on its website (which follows another article yesterday) in which the college’s Board chairman publically apologized for the delay in responding substantively to our April 29th letter. According to the story, the chairman indicated that a response was forthcoming and could be released as early as today. We know that Christine, along with FIRE and the legions of interested parties across the country (and even the world), are waiting for the college to do the right thing and make it clear to Christine and the campus community that the rights to free expression and association will be respected on campus.