California and North Carolina have recently settled litigation cases regarding free speech in taxpayer-funded schools. In these states, it’s now permissible to refer to Hamas as a “terrorist organization” and to illegal immigration as a “cancer” without facing punishment. Meanwhile, in Maine, Eastern Maine Community College took swift action against a professor who criticized a student for supporting the Second Amendment, following demands from state Republican lawmakers.
In California, the Coast Community College District settled with Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) student leaders at Golden West College. The students, including a naturalized U.S. citizen from Iran, received $17.91 each and nearly $26,000 in legal fees. This came after their lawyers at the Institute for Free Speech (IFS) challenged the college’s speech policies, which had previously penalized them for expressing conservative views.
The YAF chapter faced resistance from the Inter-Club Council due to its views, with Director of Student Life Stephanie Smallshaw issuing a “courtesy warning.” Smallshaw objected to statements on their whiteboard, including “Illegal immigration is a cancer upon any society in the world” and “Hamas is a terrorist organization and they must be wiped from the face of the Earth.” She claimed these statements were harmful and could incite violence.
Despite the controversy, the settlement led to changes in the student code of conduct, removing the prohibition on so-called hateful behavior. The new code emphasizes that speech protected by the First Amendment, including political viewpoints, does not violate conduct rules. This settlement was finalized in mid-July, but it was only recently made public by the IFS.
Smallshaw remains the director of student life at Golden West College, and the district’s administration has not commented on her status following these events. Alan Gura, IFS vice president for litigation, emphasized that students should not fear punishment for engaging in political debate. The IFS previously secured a similar victory for a Portland State University professor.
In North Carolina, the Davidson Board of Education settled a lawsuit with Christian McGhee, a former student at Central Davidson High School. McGhee was suspended for asking if “aliens” referred to “space aliens or illegal aliens who need green cards” during a vocabulary lesson. The school district agreed to pay McGhee $20,000 and remove false allegations of racial bias from his record.
The settlement also included an apology from the Davidson County Board of Education, acknowledging inappropriate responses by a former board member. The Liberty Justice Center, representing McGhee, highlighted the unfair treatment he and his family faced. The district, however, has not publicly commented on the settlement.
Back in Maine, Eastern Maine Community College replaced Professor Carol Lewandowski after she mocked a student’s essay defending gun rights. Emails revealed Lewandowski’s biased behavior, including canceling classes after President Trump’s election and expressing despair over the results. Nearly 50 state GOP lawmakers demanded her removal, defending students’ rights to express their beliefs.
The college has stated it is taking appropriate legal steps regarding Lewandowski’s conduct. These cases highlight ongoing tensions around free speech and political expression in educational settings. Such disputes underscore the importance of protecting conservative voices across American campuses.
