June 10th, 2019. Following a series of protests against speakers with controversial (and occasionally virulently racist) views, Texas Governor, Greg Abbott, signs Senate Bill 18, protecting the rights of speakers and students to “expressive activities at institutions of higher education.”
In a video posted to Twitter, Governor Abbot underlines the importance of the First Amendment:
Some colleges are banning free speech on college campuses. Well, no more. Because I'm about to sign a law that protects free speech on college campuses in Texas. Shouldn't have to do it, First Amendment guarantees it -- now, it's law in Texas.
September 9, 2021. After several high-profile right-wing figures are banned from social media--including former president Donald Trump--Governor Abbott signs House Bill 20, protecting Texans from efforts to “block, ban, remove, deplatform, demonetise, de-boost, restrict, deny equal access or visibility to, or otherwise discriminate against” their online expression based on their political viewpoint.
In a statement released alongside the signing, Abbott affirms his commitment to diversity of opinion:
We will always defend the freedom of speech in Texas, which is why I am proud to sign House Bill 20 into law to protect first amendment rights in the Lone Star State […] there is a dangerous movement by social media companies to silence conservative viewpoints and ideas. That is wrong, and we will not allow it in Texas.
March 27th, 2024. In response to pro-Palestinian student protests, Governor Abbott signs Executive Order GA44 directing higher education institutions in Texas to “review and update free speech policies to address the sharp rise in antisemitic speech and acts […] and establish appropriate punishments, including expulsion from the institution.”
A month later, as members of the Palestinian Solidarity Committee a walk-out set to include teach-ins, pizza, an art workshop and a talk from a guest speaker, despite no reports of antisemitism or unrest, Abbott authorises state troopers to break up a walk-out hosted by members of the Palestinian Solidarity Committee, leading to at least fifty arrests and several other violations of First Amendment rights.
In a statement accompanying the arrests, Abbott says…actually, he was uncharacteristically quiet about that part.
There’s a reason why “Thou shalt not abridge the freedom of speech” isn’t one of the Ten Commandments.
You can command people not to kill, you can forbid them from stealing, you can even tell them not to covet their neighbour’s wife, but asking them to tolerate an opinion they don’t like is a step too far. Even God opposes free speech when it’s used to say his name with a sh*tty attitude.
That's why Governor Abbott is happy to defend the rights of internet trolls and white nationalists, but treats protesting against Israeli foreign policy as grounds for a militarised response.
It’s why students who would be driven to apoplexy by slogans like “White Lives Matter” or “DEI must die,” gleefully chant, “Globalise the intifada” and “From the river to the sea.”
And it’s why growing numbers of people from across the political spectrum are questioning the value of free speech.
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