Students File Lawsuit Against University Of Alabama After Publications Shut Down

TUSCALOOSA, AL — A group of University of Alabama students has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the university’s decision to suspend two student-run publications, alleging the move violates their First Amendment rights.

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The complaint, filed Monday, centers on the suspension and defunding of Nineteenth Fifty-Six and Alice, two campus magazines that focused on issues of race, gender and student identity.

As Patch previously reported, the university said it made the decision because the two publication did not comply with new federal regulations regarding diversity, equity an inclusion (DEI) following a letter over the summer to federal agencies from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Student plaintiffs argue that justification is legally flawed and does not require the university to take such action.

The students also contend the decision amounts to unconstitutional, viewpoint-based censorship.

“I believe that freedom of expression on campus should neither be censored nor restricted because of its perceived value or audience,” said student Rihanna Pointer, who contributed to the publications. “Nineteen Fifty-Six and Alice have always provided a platform for diverse voices and perspectives that are vital for fostering an inclusive community.”

The lawsuit seeks to have the suspensions overturned and funding restored so the magazines can resume operations.

Plaintiffs include multiple University of Alabama students who previously contributed to the publications. They are represented by the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, the ACLU of Alabama and the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Students involved with the magazines said that for several years, the publications served as creative outlets for students to explore identity, culture and campus life through writing, photography and art.

The complaint argues that eliminating those platforms silences marginalized voices and restricts student speech based on viewpoint.

“The ability to create and contribute to spaces that amplify the voices of college students who hold identities that are typically not reflected in campus media is not only important but necessary,” plaintiff Gabrielle Gunter said.

Attorneys representing the students went on to say the university’s actions violate constitutional protections.

“The University of Alabama’s decision to suspend these publications is discriminatory and unconstitutional,” said Avatara Smith-Carrington, assistant counsel with the Legal Defense Fund. “The First Amendment protects the rights of students to write, publish and engage in dialogue free from viewpoint discrimination.”

Legal advocates also warned the decision could have broader implications.

“The suspension … is the University of Alabama’s latest attack on students’ First Amendment rights,” said Alison Mollman, legal director for the ACLU of Alabama.

The lawsuit further argues that the federal memorandum cited by the university does not override constitutional protections and does not mandate the closure of student publications based on their editorial focus.

As of Monday, the University of Alabama had not publicly responded to the lawsuit.

No court date has been announced.

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