Speech should not be limited on campus

Should free speech be confined to the free speech zone?

Should free speech be confined to the free speech zone?

Education major

Colleges, universities and other establishments of higher education are meant to be places where the exchange of ideas are to be freely exercised without any hindrance. The “free speech” zone on the mall flies in the face of one of the fundamental ideas our country and its laws are based on.

Earlier this year, the Citrus College district was sued by one of its students over their free speech zone as reported by the LA Times. The suit, sponsored by the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, argues that such a zone is “overly broad and a multi-step process for approving student group events” as reported by the LA Times. Pierce College has a similar process a person must go through to use its free speech zone.

Pierce College is no stranger to criticism and scandal. Earlier this month, the LACCD’s Board of Trustees meeting took place on campus at the Great Hall with many of the people in attendance having one opinion regarding the removal of the Farm Center. Although some of the people were allowed to talk about the Farm Center’s closing, the most overt forms of protest, such as signs, were quelled during the meeting. This form of censorship should outrage anyone who regards the first amendment highly.

There are many who say that the free speech zone is a way to allow solicitors to spread their business with little bother to the students who attend Pierce. But that argument holds little weight as solicitors are still able to freely pass out their pamphlets. Just walk through the marquee entrance on Winnetka and Victory.

If the campus, a school club or organization decides to hold an event featuring a controversial figure, topic or issue, that would mean any form of protest should take place within the free speech zone but we already have events

Cellular biology major

-Amanda Martinez

Liberal arts major

“I think it should be confined to that area because most people would probably get angry if it was all over the place and not want to get harassed all the time. ”

-Nancy Hernandez

Marine biology major

Quotes gathered by Amira Fickewirth

Photos by Brandon Steadman

-Corrections-

Volume 121

Issue 6 where, for the most part, free speech is readily practiced and encouraged. Namely, the Day of Politics.

Page 1: Dwayne Johnstone is a masseur, not a masseuse.

Page 2: Darrin Sturgis’ photo is incorrect.

Page 4: Dwayne Johnstone’s name is misspelled in the caption.

The Day of Politics is held at the Great Hall every semester where any and every form of issue, political or otherwise, is featured and ideas are freely shared. Many of those ideas come in the form of protest. As events like the Day of Politics happen, is the campus insinuating that there is some speech that is more free than others?

The first amendment to the constitution reads, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” How can we, as students, learn and grow as adults if we aren’t able to freely share ideas and opinions and openly debate them if we don’t agree with them? That is what a true place of higher education allows and as long as the campus has its free speech zone, Pierce College is not that.

Pro/Con: Protecting or reforming free speech zones

have come under fire as some deal with the ramifications of having speech zones while the handling of certain situations are questioned.

mrios.roundupnews@gmail.com

With public schools across the country abandoning their “free speech zones,” Pierce College must take a stand, continuing to allow people their basic First Amendment rights while on campus.

Free speech zones have been available on the Pierce campus since 1989, when the LACCD took a vote, requiring each college president in the district to designate an area on their school’s campus for free discussion and expression.

The idea of the speech zones are noble as it gives people on campus the opportunity to take a stand in a public venue, designed to speak without the fear of being arrested or questioned by authorities.

The area is required to be located where there is a normal flow of student traffic as well as unlimited accessibility. According to the Pierce website, there shall be no restrictions on subject matter or viewpoints expressed within the free speech zones.

As numerous colleges and universities across the state continue to carry free speech zones, schools

Earlier this year, a lawsuit was filed against the Citrus College District by a student challenging Citrus‘ College free speech zone, according to the LA Times. Student Vincenzo Sinapi- Riddle’s initiative is to eliminate speech codes and policies that restrict expression on the school‘s campus.

These exhibitions serve as a distraction to students who are just trying to go about their daily business, and can offend or cause discomfort to people with different views or beliefs.

Manuel Rios aescobar.roundupnews@gmail.com

The free speech zone at Pierce is an annoyance to students, offering little benefits to their educational progress and goals.

It is crucial that students and faculty give respect to whomever is speaking within the free speech zone as everybody is given the same rights on the public campus. While some argue over controversial topics, disagreeing individuals have the right to their own opinion and the power to walk away if they feel it is necessary.

Furthermore, individuals deciding to use the free speech zones shouldn’t feel worried about being harassed by sheriff deputies or school personnel while on campus, as the correct protocol should be followed before school officials determine if rules are being broken or misused.

Pierce College must continue to lead by example, giving individuals the opportunity to express their personal opinions in a peaceful manner regardless if the topic is agreed or disagreed upon students and faculty.

Flydoskope by Tobennh Dacanay

Located on the Pierce Mall across the library, the free speech zone is a sanctioned area that exists as a “limited public forum,” according to the LACCD Board of Trustees’ rules concerning free speech at community college campuses.

Anybody can set up inside the zone, saying or displaying virtually anything they’d like. While the area is not to be used to disturb the everyday operations of the campus, this is often the case.

While religion and politics are touchy subjects, it’s common to see religious or politically charged individuals set up in the free speech zone, preaching or handing out pamphlets while making signs and sometimes shouting bold statements.

Large signs riddled with strong religious script and posters of Barack Obama with Adolf Hitler’s signature mustache photo-shopped on to his upper lip are just a few controversial displays seen on past occasions.

-COMIC STRIP-

According to the rules set by the LACCD Board, free speech zone users are not to impede the progress of passersby or coerce them into signing or taking anything.

This rule is commonly broken, as individuals will often leave the confines of the free speech zone to pass out fliers or attract attention to their booth or setup, while more egregious offenders will sometimes position themselves in completely different areas of the campus, far from the designated area.

The free speech zone is hard enough to avoid as is, due to the fact that it’s located in a hub of campus activity. Sometimes the only defense against being accosted is to try and take a wide path around the area.

It’s unfair that there are rules in place to help users of the free speech zone reach as many students as possible when so many of the same users violate other rules without getting reprimanded.

The free speech zone has little educational value, becoming a place that many students try to avoid. It should not offer a free pass for unwanted advertising or preaching at the expense of community college students.

tlanimator@gmail.com