The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals has issued a ruling concerning Ben Shapiro’s event at the University of Minnesota. Two of three federal judges on the panel ruled against Young America’s Foundation (YAF) and conservative students sued the university.
In 2018, Ben Shapiro was invited to speak on campus by Students for a Conservative Voice, Collegians for a Constructive Tomorrow, and YAF. The students allege the university forced the event to adopt a smaller venue than anticipated, downsizing the number of attendees who could hear Ben speak while simultaneously allowing an event with Senator Elizabeth Warren to take place in a 1,500 seat venue. The students identified a discrepancy in the treatment of progressive and conservative speakers by the university in their legal battle, which has been ongoing for several years.
On October 4, the court dismissed claims put forth by conservative students and YAF, citing a change in the rules by the school, making the challenge to the regulations now moot.
Alliance Defending Freedom represents the conservative group in court and now says it is exploring its options in moving forward with the case.
There’s no doubt that conservative speakers are treated with an entirely different standard than progressive speakers on college campuses, which we’ve seen escalate significantly throughout the past 5-10 years. Ben Shapiro is one of the most successful public speakers in the world, and we’re cheering these students and Ben on as they navigate what’s next in fighting for equal treatment on campuses nationwide!
