☆ Censured prof on Stanford/Los Gatos controversies: A clear anti-conservative bias
Recently disciplined Dr. Luis Reynoso, of the Chabot-Las Positas Community College board, compares his censureship to ongoing free speech colloquies around Stanford Law and the Los Gatos Town Council. Reynoso's takeaway? While liberal folks get the “free speech” defense, conservatives' talk is too-often penalized as offensive. An Opp Now exclusive.
Opportunity Now: This situation makes us think of earlier this year, when Stanford Law students and admin shouted down a conservative guest speaker—refusing to let him deliver his prepared remarks and verbally attacking him during the Q&A session. Why can’t colleges accept offensive speech anymore?
Luis Reynoso: I think this Stanford situation and my own are, in a way, the exact same thing. Instead of a judge coming in to deliver a speech where he’s been invited, I posted something on my private social media account and should have been allowed to face my accusers and defend myself in the venue of the board.
However, that was denied to me. I was even denied the opportunity to get a report of the accusations against me. So Judge Duncan wasn't allowed to answer questions because he was shouted down; I wasn't allowed to give a defense of my character because the board didn't follow standard procedures—procedures that have been mandated through documentation for years, right there, black and white.
ON: And what about the Los Gatos censureship, which was recently taken back after ACLU threatened legal action? Is it interesting that Planning Commissioner Kylie Clark was let off the hook because of free speech, yet your censuring still stands?
LR: I reached out to ACLU (and then reached out again after reading the Los Gatos story) but have never heard back. Even though I was voted in and not appointed, you would think I have more protection.
My case is much more severe than this one, with very clear malfeasance on my free speech by the college district. However, I am a conservative who is being accused of discrimination by the LGBTQ community, so the ACLU will continue to ignore my plea for assistance.
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