LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Free speech is a fundamental U.Va. value
The Cavalier Daily | UVA Faculty
University of Virginia faculty members’ letter to The Cavalier Daily, a student-run newspaper at UVA, objecting to an editorial which argued that former Vice President Mike Pence doesn’t deserve a platform at UVA.
“We are not interested in either defending or attacking Pence and whatever he might say. We are more concerned that The Cavalier Daily believes that his speech constitutes ‘violence’ that ‘threatens the well-being and safety of students on Grounds.’ This speech-is-violence argument is not only wrong — no calls for violence will be issued April 12 — but also contradicts the letter and the spirit of the First Amendment, which generally creates space for a wide range of views to be expressed so long as the relevant speech does not incite violence. It is also a disservice to those who are the victims of actual physical violence…”
“The First Amendment protects not just those whose views the editors deem harmless. Those of us who support free speech do so, in part, because, in a democratic society, none of us can see the whole truth and all of us benefit from being exposed to perspectives that may comprehend some aspect of the truth better than we do.”
“We stand in that commitment to free expression for all speakers and all views, inspired by the University’s founder, Mr. Jefferson, who wrote the following about our institution — ‘for here we are not afraid to follow truth wherever it may lead, nor to tolerate any error so long as reason is left free to combat it.’ We invite the editors of The Cavalier Daily to renew their dedication to this fundamental University value.”
