Austin TX, October 16, 2025
News Summary
AUSTIN, TX – U.S. District Judge David A. Ezra has issued a temporary injunction halting parts of Texas’ new law imposing restrictions on expression at universities. The law, known as Senate Bill 2972, limits expressive activities on campuses, especially during night hours. The injunction follows a lawsuit filed by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, arguing that the law infringes upon First Amendment rights. Critics claim these restrictions hinder student journalism and expression, leading to ongoing legal scrutiny.
AUSTIN, TEXAS – On October 14, U.S. District Judge David A. Ezra issued a temporary injunction against parts of Texas’ new law that limits expression on university campuses. The injunction suspends the University of Texas System’s restrictions on expression, which include limitations on overnight activities, speakers, sounds, and drums during the last two weeks of the semester.
Judge Ezra contended that the law infringes upon students’ First Amendment rights. This legal action follows a lawsuit filed on September 3 by The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) on behalf of students such as musicians, journalists, political organizers, and religious groups. The lawsuit aims to prevent the enforcement of Senate Bill 2972 (SB 2972), which took effect on September 1.
SB 2972 prohibits “expressive activities” at public universities from the hours of 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. FIRE argued that the law empowers universities to discipline students for various forms of expression, such as wearing political apparel, writing opinion pieces, or participating in vigils. An attorney representing FIRE highlighted that the law grants administrators excessive authority to restrict speech.
In addition, SB 2972 reversed a previous Texas law from 2019 that identified common outdoor areas of universities as “traditional public forums,” transforming them into “limited public forums” under the new stipulations. Compliance requires individuals wishing to protest or conduct events on campus to secure written permission, while university officials are allowed to request “proof of identity and status” from protesters.
The law was authored by State Senator Brandon Creighton following pro-Palestine protests in April 2024, an event that saw 136 arrests. As part of the Campus Protection Act, SB 2972 also enforces restrictions against encampments and wearing disguises. Previous amendments to the University of Texas’ free speech policies granted officials the discretion to decide when expressive activities might be deemed “disruptive.” This has raised concerns as it enables the administration to assess disruptions based on subjective criteria.
Critics of the law have pointed out that the new time restrictions greatly hinder student journalism and various activities essential to expressing free speech. Among the plaintiffs in the lawsuit are student organizations like The Retrograde, Strings Attached, and The Fellowship of Christian University Students. They assert that the Campus Protection Act’s limitations could significantly obstruct their expressive and journalistic endeavors.
While the Texas law is designed to safeguard students from disruptive behaviors and maintain safety on campus, detractors view it as a potential erosion of free speech protections. Supporters, conversely, perceive it as an essential regulation. The recent injunction aims to halt temporarily the enforcement of the restrictive components within SB 2972, leaving room for further legal scrutiny and potential revisions to the bill based on the lawsuit’s unfolding.
As the case progresses, the outcome may influence future legislative efforts and revisions surrounding the law’s language, reflecting the ongoing debate over the balance between campus safety and the preservation of free expression rights.
FAQ
What is the recent injunction against Texas’ new campus expression law?
On October 14, U.S. District Judge David A. Ezra issued a temporary injunction against parts of Texas’ new law that limits expression on campuses.
What does Senate Bill 2972 prohibit?
SB 2972 bans “expressive activities” at public universities between the hours of 10 p.m. and 8 a.m.
Who filed the lawsuit against the new law?
A lawsuit was filed on September 3 by The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) on behalf of student musicians, journalists, political organizers, and religious students.
What are the implications of the new law on campus protests?
Under the new law, members of the public must obtain written permission to protest or hold events on campus, and university officials may request “proof of identity and status” from individuals protesting on campus.
What prompted the creation of SB 2972?
State Senator Brandon Creighton authored SB 2972 in response to pro-Palestine protests in April 2024, which involved 136 arrests.
Key Features of SB 2972 Injunction
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Injunction Issued | Temporary injunction against parts of SB 2972 issued on October 14 by U.S. District Judge David A. Ezra. |
| Time Restrictions | Bans expressive activities at public universities from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. |
| Expression Restrictions | Limits activities such as speakers, sounds, and drums during specific periods. |
| Previous Law Reversal | Reversed a 2019 Texas law that recognized outdoor areas as traditional public forums. |
| Lawsuit Filed | Filed by FIRE on September 3 on behalf of student organizations. |
| Future Impact | Ongoing lawsuit may influence revisions to the bill’s language. |
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Additional Resources
- The Daily Texan
- Wikipedia: Freedom of speech in the United States
- Statesman
- Google Search: Texas free speech bill
- Houston Chronicle
- Google Scholar: Texas Senate Bill 2972
- Express News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Student protests
- Fox 7 Austin
- Google News: Texas university protest law
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