Student protest is a proud democratic tradition on college campuses and in communities across the country. It gives young people a way to express their views, engage in a public conversation and pressure administrators to take up issues they care about. In the past, such protests have led to campus divestments from fossil fuels, student strikes against war and the removal of the ROTC program at Harvard.
In the face of rising antiwar activism, colleges are implementing new policies to manage campus demonstrations and encampments. Some of these policies are more restrictive than others, but all should balance students’ First Amendment rights with reasonable limitations on their activities. For example, a school may limit loud amplification near classroom buildings on weekdays during hours that classes are in session. But it cannot prohibit one group of students from using a megaphone but allow another group to do so. Such discrimination would violate the First Amendment’s prohibition on viewpoint discrimination.
The intersection of campus activism and immigration status has also emerged as a critical issue. The Trump administration has rolled back Obama-era policies and is allowing immigration enforcement to operate in “sensitive locations,” including on college campuses. This has sparked concern among activists who say they have friends, family members or peers whose legal status could be affected.
Many students who participate in campus protests report that it offers a valuable learning experience, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of the issue at hand and hear different perspectives from those with opposing viewpoints. They also believe it’s empowering to stand up for their beliefs and show that they can make a difference.