Students across the country are protesting the injustices they see in their daily lives—from tuition hikes and student debt to discrimination on campus and disproportionately high police brutality rates. But if they want to make real progress, they will have to continue to target the policies that create these injustices, whether at local or national levels. These include low-wage jobs, gerrymandered electoral districts, poor public health and education, endless wars and the industries that profit from them, and powerful lobbies for gun manufacturers, fossil fuel companies, Israel, and autocratic regimes abroad.
As long as students’ protests do not threaten the safety of others or otherwise disrupt classes, they should be free to express their views. If the university fears that a protest could cause significant disruptions, it can limit the size of groups that can participate, regulate noise levels, and require advance notice to allow for appropriate preparations. It can also require a permit for protests of a certain size. However, these restrictions cannot be based on viewpoint or ideology.
For example, if a protest involves an invited speaker, it is appropriate to require a permit to ensure that the audience can hear them and that the space is protected from shouting or other forms of interference. But the university should avoid requiring permits for protests that present no threat to the campus community and limit the number of participants who can attend.
Students planning a protest, demonstration, or rally are encouraged to connect with leadership engagement and experiential development staff in their schools. They can help students understand the campus’s policies and guidelines, and ensure that an event is in line with the school’s values.