The Institute for Free Speech and Vancouver Attorney Angus Lee brought the case on Gilley’s behalf after the University of Oregon’s Division of Equity and Inclusion blocked him on Twitter for saying “all men are created equal”
In a decisive win for free speech, a federal court has granted a preliminary injunction preventing the University of Oregon’s Division of Equity and Inclusion’s communication manager from blocking Bruce Gilley’s online interactions with the division’s official X account.
Institute for Free Speech attorneys, working with local counsel Angus Lee, scored a significant victory in Professor Bruce Gilley’s ongoing free speech lawsuit. The U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon has granted a preliminary injunction, protecting Gilley’s right to interact with the University’s @UOEquity social media account on X (formerly Twitter) without his speech being blocked, muted, or censored.
The court’s decision prevents the Communications Manager of the University of Oregon’s Division of Equity and Inclusion from blocking Gilley or hiding his posts for being “hateful,” “racist,” “offensive,” or “off-topic.” This ruling comes after the Ninth Circuit vacated a previous denial of the preliminary injunction in March.
The lawsuit originated when the University blocked Gilley from its @UOEquity Twitter account after he responded to a “racism interrupter” tweet by saying “all men are created equal.” The court’s opinion found that Gilley showed a likelihood of success on the merits of his First Amendment claims and would suffer irreparable harm without an injunction.
“This is a big victory for free online and campus speech. Independent thinkers like Bruce Gilley are allowed to dissent from the radical DEI orthodoxy destroying colleges in America without getting blocked or censored by university officials,” said Vancouver Attorney Angus Lee
The court rejected the University of Oregon’s arguments that recent changes in staffing and oversight made an injunction unnecessary. Instead, the opinion emphasized the importance of preventing potential First Amendment violations.
The case will now proceed with the preliminary injunction in place. The court has stayed the case for 60 days to allow the parties to explore settlement options.
Also read:
- Letter: ‘As a lifetime resident of Clark County I am disturbed regarding what I witnessed’
Sally Snyder describes lewd conduct, threatening language, and safety concerns she says she witnessed at the Feb. 11 Clark County Council meeting. - Camas, Union senior stars ready for playoff push in their final high school basketball seasons
Ethan Harris and Brooklynn Haywood lead Camas and Union into the Class 4A bi-district playoffs with state tournament berths on the line. - Letter: ‘Are we being punked?’
Anna Miller questions the Clark County Council’s authority to pass a resolution on ICE and urges members to focus on core county responsibilities. - U.S. Ed Dept. investigates Puyallup wrestler’s sexual assault allegation by trans athlete
The U.S. Department of Education is investigating the Puyallup School District over its handling of a sexual assault allegation involving wrestler Kallie Keeler. - Letter: ‘People who have entered illegally must face the consequences of their actions’
Vancouver resident Debra Kalz argues the County Council should not pass immigration-related resolutions and says laws must be followed or changed through proper channels. - The Enspire Extravaganza: Advancing art and community engagement for a brighter future
Enspire Arts brings more than 150 local artists to the Joyce Garver Theater in Camas on Feb. 28, featuring student ambassadors and a world premiere by composer Nicole Buetti. - Opinion: IBR’s systematic disinformation campaign, its demise
Neighbors for a Better Crossing challenges IBR’s seismic claims and promotes a reuse-and-tunnel alternative they say would save billions at the I-5 crossing.
