Amid a new wave of campus protests, universities are grappling with the limits of free speech and the right to peaceful assembly. While some, like Northeastern University, have chosen to impose harsh sanctions, others – such as Columbia in New York – have been able to negotiate with students and end the disputes that led to their occupying a building. Some, such as Middle Tennessee State University, have even opened a free speech center for their students.

Others, however – particularly elite institutions – have chosen to take more aggressive action. Some have cancelled student-led divestment votes, imposed suspensions and called on police to break up demonstrations. Some have also used the threat of a federal crackdown to scare students into silence, though that has not been entirely effective.

Militarization of protests

The way governments engage with protesters has been increasingly militarized since the early 2000s, with more and more states deploying armed troops and equipping police with weapons such as armoured vehicles, surveillance drones and guns and stun grenades. These weapons are designed and used for war and defense, not for law enforcement or keeping people safe during a protest, where police should be trained in de-escalation and mediation.

While some of these tactics may be necessary to keep people safe and protect property, they should never be used to justify suppression of legitimate dissent. This is a dangerous trend, and ICNL is monitoring how lawmakers respond to rising social movements with bills that would restrict their freedom of assembly and expression.