Spring Break
Five-year free speech case against Miami dismissed
Hannah Poturalski
Issue date: 6/19/09 Section: Campus
A press release released Monday by Gilles' attorneys at Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) stated, "The University did the right thing when it revised its speech policy to respect the rights citizens have under the First Amendment."
Parker said that statement is incorrect and Miami sent out its own release stating the overall policy has not changed at all. The rules haven't changed, Parker said, the only thing different is it's now easier to discern the policy.
"There are dueling press releases out there, but ADF's isn't accurate," Parker said.
Jonathan Scruggs, litigation counsel for ADF, said his office and Gilles are happy with the outcome of the case.
"We believe it's fair because Miami clarified the language in their policy," Scruggs said. "Gilles got what he wanted. Religious speech isn't second class speech."
Miami is also pleased with the outcome.
"We're very happy that it was resolved on our terms and that the court found our rules to be appropriate," Parker said.
Gilles was unable to be reached for comment.
Miami is not the only university Gilles has accused of violating his right to free speech. He lost a lawsuit against Murray State University in September 2006 and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a case involving Vincennes University in October 2007.
Parker said that statement is incorrect and Miami sent out its own release stating the overall policy has not changed at all. The rules haven't changed, Parker said, the only thing different is it's now easier to discern the policy.
"There are dueling press releases out there, but ADF's isn't accurate," Parker said.
Jonathan Scruggs, litigation counsel for ADF, said his office and Gilles are happy with the outcome of the case.
"We believe it's fair because Miami clarified the language in their policy," Scruggs said. "Gilles got what he wanted. Religious speech isn't second class speech."
Miami is also pleased with the outcome.
"We're very happy that it was resolved on our terms and that the court found our rules to be appropriate," Parker said.
Gilles was unable to be reached for comment.
Miami is not the only university Gilles has accused of violating his right to free speech. He lost a lawsuit against Murray State University in September 2006 and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a case involving Vincennes University in October 2007.
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