Conservative students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautics University just scored a major win for free speech after the school tried to silence their voices. Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) successfully fought back against what they called a “totalitarian Speech Ban” that specifically targeted conservative and pro-Israel viewpoints while allowing leftist activism to flourish unchecked.
At a Glance
- YAF filed a civil rights complaint against Embry-Riddle Aeronautics University for blocking conservative speech
- University prevented pro-Israel materials distribution on Holocaust Remembrance Day while permitting LGBTQ events
- School initially barred detransitioner Chloe Cole from speaking on campus
- Following legal action, the university reversed course and allowed Cole’s presentation
- YAF’s victory demonstrates growing pushback against anti-conservative bias on college campuses
University’s Double Standard Exposed
Young Americans for Freedom have scored a huge victory following a civil rights complaint made about Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), which prevented a campus YAF chapter from distributing pro-Israel flags and buttons on Holocaust Remembrance Day. Administrators claimed these materials would be considered “too political” despite their direct connection to the solemn occasion.
Unbelievable.
Adding to the apparent hypocrisy, the same administrator who shut down the Holocaust remembrance activity had previously approved and displayed LGBTQ items on campus and supported a “trans day of visibility” event, suggesting a clear bias against conservative viewpoints.
YAF didn’t stop there with their complaints. According to their filing, the university also blocked several other conservative initiatives, including a “Stand with Israel” display, a “9/11: Never Forget” memorial, and a “Biology Basics activism project” — all while permitting and even celebrating left-wing activist events on campus.
After being repeatedly silenced, YAF took decisive action by filing a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, requesting an investigation into ERAU’s practices. The organization characterized the university’s actions as “a blatant attempt to silence the voices of its own students,” directly contradicting the school’s own Campus Expression Policy.
“A lot of people maybe have heard of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University because it has a great history of training generations of pilots and mechanics and other people that are critical to the aviation industry,” said Spencer Brown, Head of Communications with YAF.
Brown further explained the situation by noting how even specialized institutions are falling prey to progressive ideology.
“They’ve been infected with this leftist, woke, radical, DEI, radical transgender ideology, all this other stuff, just like so many of the larger schools people might think of normally,” Brown said.
The most significant battle involved detransitioner Chloe Cole, who has become an outspoken critic of progressive gender ideology after she “transitioned” as a minor and later reversed course. When YAF attempted to host Cole for a campus speech, the university initially blocked the event, further demonstrating what conservatives see as clear ideological discrimination.
“These bans, which were just a run-up to the total speech ban, lacked any support in ERAU’s rules,” the complaint stated.
Following YAF’s legal pressure and advocacy, ERAU ultimately reversed course, allowing Cole to present her views on campus. This victory represents a significant win for free speech advocates and demonstrates how determined conservative students can successfully fight back against campus censorship.
It feels like we can’t stop winning these days, doesn’t it?
