UF College Republicans seek reinstatement in federal trial
Attorneys argue university violated First Amendment by disbanding group over post showing Nazi salute
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) -Attorneys representing the University of Florida College Republicans are trying to get the chapter reinstated during a federal court trial this week.
They say the university violated the First Amendment by deactivating the group because of a post showing a student doing the Nazi salute.
Attorneys representing the UF College Republicans chapter are trying to prove university leaders like interim President Dr. Donald Landry violated the group’s First Amendment rights in an effort to chill their future speech.
In March, University of Florida leaders made the decision to disband the UF College Republicans. They attribute this to the Florida Federation of College Republicans, or FFCR, disbanding the group because of a violation of rules and values after a student was accused of performing a Nazi salute.
However, when the president of the university’s chapter took the stand in federal court, he explained they were never affiliated with FFCR. He said he was never notified they were even under review by the university.
In early March, they became part of the organization College Republicans of America, but at no time were they sponsored or affiliated with anyone else.
Steve Orlando, the interim vice president for communications and marketing at UF, testified next. Orlando was on the phone the afternoon of March 13 with other top-ranking UF officials while the decision to disband the group was made.
He said after controversy was building online over what looked like a Nazi salute, Jewish students and their families complained on social media, which is why the university referenced anti-semitism throughout its statement. Orlando said they knew the media would ask questions.
At Landry’s request, the statement was ultimately approved by Board of Trustees Chair Mori Hosseini, which doesn’t happen often. Orlando explained to attorneys that it’s also unusual to remove an organization.
Three more witnesses are expected during the trial’s second day.
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