Updated · WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale · Aug 24
Judge Blocks FIU From Punishing 7 Students Over Anti-ICE Protest
Updated
Updated · WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale · Aug 24
Judge Blocks FIU From Punishing 7 Students Over Anti-ICE Protest
3 articles · Updated · WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale · Aug 24
Summary
A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction barring Florida International University from enforcing its indoor-expression policy against seven students disciplined after a March 13 anti-ICE protest.
Court filings and video showed the students briefly stood with “ICE off FIU” shirts, then silently walked out, evidence the judge said supported their claim that the protest was peaceful and protected speech.
The ruling found FIU likely violated the First Amendment by prohibiting non-disruptive student expression simply because it occurred indoors, handing an early win to the ICEbreakers FIU Coalition and the ACLU of Florida.
FIU said it values freedom of expression, but the case will continue and the university can still appeal the order.
The decision arrived just before classes begin on FIU campuses, temporarily shielding the students from punishment while the broader fight over campus protest rules moves forward.