Stout Reverses Censorship of Professor's Poster, Upholds Free Speech
University of Wisconsin-Stout (Stout) has reversed its censorship of a professor's poster, following a national outcry over free speech concerns. Theater professor James Miller's poster, featuring a line from Nathan Fillion's character in 'Firefly', was initially removed, sparking controversy and intervention from the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE).
The saga began when Miller posted the image, prompting campus police to threaten him with criminal charges and report him to the 'threat assessment team'. Stout later censored Miller's second poster, which read 'Warning: Fascism', escalating the situation. FIRE stepped in, praising Stout's top administrators for ultimately making the right call to preserve First Amendment rights on campus.
Over 1,000 people wrote to Stout's Chancellor in support of Miller, with dozens of articles appearing in national media. Actor Adam Baldwin also weighed in, criticizing Stout's apparent double standard in censorship. Under pressure, Stout's senior administrators announced they had reversed their decision, are developing a new protocol, and will schedule workshops on First Amendment rights.
Stout's reversal comes after a heated debate over free speech and censorship on campus. FIRE's intervention and the national attention highlight the importance of preserving First Amendment rights in academic institutions. Miller's case serves as a reminder of the ongoing dialogue and efforts to protect free expression in higher education.
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