BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – Over 300 students, faculty and alumni gathered at Academic Plaza on Texas A&M University’s campus Thursday to protest what they call censorship and course cancellations at the university.
The demonstrators called on the university to restore academic freedom, reinstate faculty and canceled courses, and end restrictions on topics like race, gender and sexual orientation.
The rally comes after the university approved a policy in December restricting race and gender content in the core curriculum.
Justin Walther, a sophomore and U.S. Army veteran, said he came to Texas A&M for its academic reputation but now worries about how recent changes could impact his education.
“It really scares me that my degree that I’m pursuing is going to be devalued, you know, because outside organizations and employers possibly even in countries will say, ‘Hey, you know, the education I’ve received here was censored,’” Walther said.
Hundreds gather for academic protest.(KBTX)
Walther said the situation concerns him as someone who took an oath to the U.S. Constitution.
“I swore oath to the United States Constitution and if there’s one thing I truly believe in outside of any partisanship and parties and all that is the United States Constitution and right now I’m looking at multiple rights of ours under the constitution being attacked,” he said.
Not everyone on campus agreed with the protesters’ message. Conservative student Justino Russell said he came to the rally to hear the other side but believes limits on classroom content are necessary.
“Academia has been functioning as a think tank for the left,” Russell said. “We have academic freedom, but with great freedom comes great responsibility. So, we also have academic responsibility.”
Thursday’s demonstration was part of a series of protests that have taken place on campus since September. Organizers said they will continue speaking out until academic freedom is fully protected at Texas A&M.
The coalition includes multiple students, faculty and alumni groups demanding the university address what they see as restrictions on academic freedom.
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