Once again, the DVC administration is attempting to suppress First Amendment constitutional rights of students on our campus.

For the past 20 years, student activists have had to fight the administration repeatedly in order to utilize our basic constitutionally protected first amendment rights.

The administration routinely attempts to establish unconstitutional and undemocratic restrictions on free speech.

All of this occurs when people least expect it. Student activists often have to win the same right over and over again, even though it is protected by the constitution.

The most recent attack on free speech and democracy occurred Oct. 28 as dean of student life Bill Oye pressed charges with the Inter Club Council at DVC against Students for a Democratic Society. Dean Oye raised four charges against SDS for organizing a peaceful rally and march to defend public education on Oct. 7, which SDS was sentenced for, but not convicted. Dean Oye admitted that it was a permitted and approved event that was peaceful, non-disruptive and caused no complaints. He also admitted that all of the minor flaws of the larger March 4 day of action last semester were corrected.

[SDS will distribute their written statement] about the charges and further details on this issue. But for now, do your own research and ask, “What does free speech mean to you?”

Students for a Democratic Society, Campus Group