BUZZ
Key Takeaways
- The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) has challenged Manchester Community College's (MCC) requirement for the Turning Point USA (TPUSA) table to move due to its political nature, arguing this violates state law and the First Amendment.
- TPUSA, an officially recognized student organization, was told to relocate from its set-up position at the school’s main entrance—an area deemed safe—because it was considered a 'political group.
- New Hampshire state law prohibits public campuses from creating restricted 'free speech zones' and MCC’s actions are seen as a violation of this law and principles of free speech, particularly concerning political expression.
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression has sent a letter challenging Manchester Community College’s decision to require a Turning Point USA table to change locations due to its “political nature.”
According to the March 18 letter from FIRE Campus Rights Advocacy Counsel Garrett Gravley to Manchester CC President Paul Beaudin, MCC TPUSA President Samuel Raiti set up a table last October at the school’s main entrance “in an area that did not obstruct pedestrian traffic.”
The school’s chapter of Turning Point USA is an officially recognized student organization.
MCC Director of Communication and Marketing Vicky Jaffe allegedly told Raiti he’d have to move because TPUSA is a “’political group’ that disseminates ‘political ideas.’”
Vice President of Student Affairs Megan Conn cited alleged school policy, telling Raiti he’d have to go to “a more isolated area” as the original locale was not permissible for “expressive activity.” Conn admitted the original location “did not pose a safety concern.”
New Hampshire state law prohibits public campuses, like Manchester CC, from creating “‘free speech
zones’ or other designated areas of campus outside of which expressive activities are prohibited.”
“Indeed, in clear contravention of both law and policy, the evidence suggests that MCC expressly restricted Raiti’s speech because of its political content,” Gravley wrote.
“After all, there has been expressive activity in that area before. And contrary to Jaffe’s assertion, Raiti’s expression being political did not justify its exclusion from a public forum. In fact, the First Amendment’s protection is ‘at its zenith’ when it comes to ‘core political speech.’
“To designate the space between parking lots as an approved ‘free speech zone’ while restricting expressive activity in other outdoor areas of campus violates state law and the First Amendment, and generally offends free speech principles.”
According to NH Journal, MCC Executive Director of Government Affairs and Communications Shannon Reid acknowledged receipt of the FIRE letter and said school officials are “reviewing” it. “[W]e strongly support expressive activity and student engagement,” Reid told the outlet.
NH Journal notes while most Manchester Community College student groups are “nonpolitical,” it does have a few “with socially conscious agendas” such as MCC Pride, MCC Students for Environmental Action Club and, of course, TPUSA.
MORE: Ohio U. TPUSA students face gun threat, harassment during tabling event
MORE: Sign stolen, thrown across room: Hostile crowd greets TPUSA at Wesleyan University
