Free speech policy gets reworking

The Yosemite Community College District Board of Trustees on Wednesday introduced its newly-phrased policy on free speech, after drawing criticism in September that led to a lawsuit.

It was the first meeting run by Lynn Martin, of Sonora, former Columbia College counselor and instructor, who was recently elected board chairwoman.

Martin has served on the board since 2010, representing Area 1, including Tuolumne County, eastern Stanislaus County and parts of Calaveras counties. She was selected chairwoman at the its annual organizational meeting in December and succeeds chairman Abe Rojas, of Turlock.

The meeting saw the first reading of the districts revised Time, Place and Manner policy governing free speech on district property.

The district drew national attention after Army veteran Robert Van Tuinen, a student at its Modesto Junior College campus, was prevented from handing out copies of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, which is Constitution Day.

Van Tuinen sued the district, claiming infringements on his First Amendment rights protecting free speech. Talks over the lawsuit continued Wednesday in closed session.

For the full story see today's Union Democrat.

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Free speech policy gets reworking