Recent Protest Shows UNC’s Free Speech Policies are Working

Clear rules and consistent enforcement promote civility and free speech

 

By Hunter Klosty

May 8, 2025

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On April 29, the UNC chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine organized at Polk Place for a protest marking the one-year anniversary of the organization’s controversial “Triangle Gaza Solidarity Encampment” on the same campus quad. 

 

During last year’s demonstrations, the organization violated University policy by erecting tents and structures on the quad, which the University demanded they remove. When demonstrators refused, the University forcibly cleared the encampment. Later that day, a chaotic protest occurred in response to the clearing. Protesters tried to break into the South Building, breached a police barricade, and tore down the American flag on Polk Place. UNC declared an emergency condition, cancelling classes for the remainder of the day. Many protesters faced criminal charges, though most were dropped. 

 

One year later, the same organization’s protest activity appeared markedly different. Their event was entirely civil and did not impede the operations of the University. Students and some local non-student demonstrators displayed signs, outlined their demands for the University, and discussed the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. There was no destruction of property or vandalism––just an expression of views. 

 

The change in behavior can be credited in large part to changes in policy and enforcement. Violations of campus rules were swiftly addressed by UNC at last year’s encampment, and another demonstration in September, which resulted in the disruption of classes and vandalism of the ROTC building, was met with the following balanced approach by Chancellor Roberts:

 

“Free expression and peaceful protest are, of course, in line with Carolina’s best traditions. We cannot tolerate, however, vandalism of public property or disruption of classes. We’ll pursue every avenue possible to hold people accountable.”

 

This April’s protest was also the first major demonstration organized by SJP since the UNC Board of Trustees passed a resolution in March that included both free speech protections and a “zero-tolerance policy for destruction of property, imminent threats, or acts of violence.”

 

Over the past year, UNC has also worked to provide all students with ample First Amendment educational resources. This equips students with the necessary information to understand how their First Amendment rights apply to campus protests. These two strategies work in harmony––enforcement of University rules creates an incentive to follow them, and educating students on the First Amendment empowers them to exercise their constitutional rights on campus.

 

As a witness to both last year’s and last week’s events, I am pleased with the way protests are currently operating. I may not agree with the message of SJP, but giving students the opportunity to express themselves––regardless of viewpoint––is vital to upholding their Constitutional rights and the marketplace of ideas. Furthermore, my ability to function on campus as a student was not hindered by the demonstration––a clear indication that the University has done a fine job balancing its duty to protect freedom of speech and to serve as a premier educational institution.

 

Universities across the country have been placed in the difficult position of upholding the First Amendment rights of students while maintaining a safe and functioning educational environment. Carolina has done just that. What happened this week was a good example of what a civil protest on a college campus should look like. Kudos to the protesters for following the rules and to the University for enabling spontaneous protest on the quad––regardless of viewpoint.

 

Hunter Klosty is a sophomore at UNC studying economics and contemporary European studies. He is a UNC AFSA intern and president of the Student Free Speech Alliance at UNC.