UC Berkeley Ordered to Pay Conservative Group $70K, Abolish Heckler's Veto, Protect Free Speech

Following more than a year of hard-fought litigation in the hostile Ninth Circuit, Young America's Foundation secured victory for free speech against the University of California, Berkeley. Through YAF's lawsuit and subsequent settlement agreement executed over the weekend, UC Berkeley agreed to the following terms set by Young America's Foundation:

1) Pay Young America's Foundation $70,000.

2) Rescind the unconstitutional "high-profile speaker policy."

3) Rescind the viewpoint-discriminatory security fee policy.

4) Abolish its heckler's veto – protestors will no longer be able to shut down conservative expression.

This landmark victory for free expression means UC Berkeley can no longer wantonly treat conservative students as second-class members of its community while ignoring the guaranteed protections of the First Amendment.

Boom! Deeply honored to have been selected as the lead plaintiffs’ counsel in this landmark 1st Am. lawsuit, which today resulted in a settlement allowing free or nominal access to campus facilities at UC Berkeley, and no security fees for the types of events our client hold. 🙌🏽 https://t.co/3n2kez7YBD

— Harmeet K. Dhillon (@pnjaban) December 3, 2018

UC, Berkeley, has settled a lawsuit for $70,000 with Young Americas Foundation and College Republicans after their event with @AnnCoulter was blocked. Justice Dept had filed to support students.

DOJ court filing at the time: https://t.co/eUPBBZTbu0

DOJ statement today: pic.twitter.com/ttMdTP8q09

— Dominic Holden (@dominicholden) December 4, 2018