Identity of Speakers
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Heather Akou, et al.
Faculty/Staff
Other10 faculty and staff at IU seeking injunctive relief.
Additional Information
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Incident Nature:
Rally or protest
Lawsuit
Other
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Incident Political Orientation:
Not Clear -
Incident Responses:
Rally or Protests
University administration invoked formal speech code in response
University administration changed university policy as a consequence
Litigation
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Incident Status:
In litigation Federal District Court
- Was Speech Code incident
Summary
In August 2024, the ACLU of Indiana filed a lawsuit challenging Indiana University Bloomington’s “Expressive Activity Policy,” arguing it violated the First and Fourteenth Amendments by barring protests and displays between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., including at the iconic Sample Gates. The suit, brought on behalf of faculty and staff disciplined for protesting after hours, contended that the policy unconstitutionally restricted core political speech and imposed vague, overly broad enforcement standards. On May 29, 2025, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction pausing enforcement of the policy, finding it likely violated the First Amendment. In response, faculty and students gathered late at night to reclaim the space On June 1, 2025, though IU has not rescinded the written reprimands issued to around two dozen faculty and staff. The IU Board of Trustees is now reviewing the policy, with a vote on possible amendments scheduled during its June 2025 meeting.
