State Sen. Chris Kapenga (R) and Representative Cody Horlacher (R) introduced a bill that would instruct the Wisconsin Board of Regents to put in place a new policy clarifying universities should not engage in shielding students from speech protected by the First Amendment. It would further subject those who use methods of disruption to prevent others from exercising their First Amendment rights to some form of punishment.
Connor Mathias, the vice president of the UW-Milwaukee Student Association, stated in an interview with Wisconsin Public Radio that it is “unnecessary for the state Legislature to mandate this.” Laura Downer, the chair of the Associated Students of Madison, said that it is better to have campus policy be created by the Board of Regents or campuses themselves.
But Polly Olsen, who attended the free speech executive order signing at the White House in March 2019 after being told not to hand out "Jesus Loves You" valentines on Valentine's Day, expressed a different opinion to Campus Reform.
“As long as the definition of ‘disruptive behavior’ is clearly defined as, “one who is restricting the freedom of speech of another”, I am in favor of it and can see it protecting all students right to voice their opinions and to hear other opinions with respect from everyone, even those that disagree. That’s the beauty of freedom of speech, it’s the right to agree to disagree peaceably!" Olsen, a Northeast Wisconsin Technical College graduate, said.
"We all have the right to ‘peaceably’ protest, but when it turns ugly it’s no longer a right, it’s a crime!” Olsen added.
