Lawmakers consider penalties for people who infringe on right to free speech – WILX-TV

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) The state may be forcing public colleges and universities to guarantee the right to free speech on campus.

One of the the catalysts for a bill debated in the Senate Tuesday was a riot at the University of California Berkley in February when conservative author Milo Yiannopolous was invited to speak. There were threats of violence when Ann Coulter was invited.

Republican State Senator Rick Jones says it can be avoided in Michigan, by requiring schools to tell students they won't be shielded from protected speech no matter how offensive it might be. Senator Jones said, "I believe that some colleges and universities will say, 'You know we have freedom of speech but we need to control it.' Well, who decides who controls what?"

Anyone found to have infringed on the right to protected free speech could be suspended. A second offense would be punishable by a minimum one-year suspension.

We'll let you know if the bill comes up for a vote.

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Lawmakers consider penalties for people who infringe on right to free speech - WILX-TV