5th Circuit hears arguments on Texas college protest law

Who's involved

• Daniel OrtnerAssistant Solicitor General arguing for Texas
• Adam SteinbaughSenior attorney for Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression representing students
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th CircuitFederal appeals court hearing arguments
• Students at University of Texas system campusesPlaintiffs challenging law constitutionality

The facts

• SB 2972 requires public colleges to restrict expressive activity from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. and during final weeks of semesters.^{1 2 3} Stated by 3 sources
• Campus policies must also prohibit invited speakers, amplified sound, and drums during the final two weeks of semester or term.^{1 2 3} Stated by 3 sources
• A federal judge temporarily blocked key parts of the law after students at two UT system campuses sued.^{1 2 3} Stated by 3 sources
• Lawmakers passed SB 2972 in 2025 after pro-Palestinian protests swept college campuses nationwide.^{1 2 3} Stated by 3 sources
• University of Texas at Dallas adopted restrictions nearly word for word from the law.^{1 2 3} Stated by 3 sources

Who said what

These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.

• Daniel Ortner SB 2972 does not regulate students; colleges must adopt their own speech policies.^{1 2 3}
• Daniel Ortner Students sued the wrong officials; campus deans, not UT System officials, enforce policies.^{1 2 3}
• Daniel Ortner A policy banning all overnight expressive activity would be difficult to defend under First Amendment.^{1 2 3}
• Adam Steinbaugh State's distinction between law and campus policies makes little practical difference.^{1 2 3}