Attorney General Alan Wilson joins letter to universities urging them to protect free speech on campuses

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson and 16 other attorneys general have sent a letter to the presidents and deans of universities and colleges across the country, urging them to protect free speech on their campuses after the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

“Universities shouldn’t shut down free speech on campus because of potential danger but should be encouraging civil discourse and condemning political violence at all levels. I believe that’s what Charlie would have wanted, and it’s what I want as well,” said Attorney General Wilson.

The letter condemns political violence of any kind, saying, “The fact that the slaying took place on a college campus, during a debate, makes it even more tragic. Particularly at this moment, it is critical our state institutions of higher learning serve as forums for robust debate from all perspectives. The campus should be the very place where the First Amendment rings loudest to hear. We urge you to say no to the ‘Assassin’s Veto.’”

The attorneys general write that some university officials are using Charlie Kirk’s murder as justification to shut down free speech on campus. The “Assassin’s Veto” refers to imposing exorbitant security fees on people or groups who want to speak on campus. However, those fees can violate the First Amendment, especially if they’re applied based on the content of the speech.

“We thus remind you that your universities must impose security fees in a content-neutral and viewpoint-neutral manner,” the attorneys general write. “And any security policy that appears neutral on its face must not be applied in a discriminatory manner.”

They point out that just last year, a federal court in New Mexico blocked the University of New Mexico from charging Turning Point USA over $5,000 in security fees for an October 2023 event featuring conservative speaker Riley Gaines.

The letter asks schools to ensure that security-fee policies are viewpoint-neutral and that schools disclose any fee calculations or restrictions. The attorneys general also say there should be clear security protocols for event approval and for protecting speakers.

“If we receive complaints about your school, we will fully and fairly investigate those complaints subject to the authority of our respective offices,” the attorneys general write.

Joining Attorney General Wilson in the Iowa-led letter are the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Utah.

You can read the letter here.