She then cited two students’ statements she had received which had also been signed by several classmates.
“Contrary to Mr. Lopez’ assumptions, these classmates were deeply offended by his speech,” Jones wrote.
One student said “His speech was not of the informative style that our assignment called for, but rather a preachy, persuasive speech that was completely inappropriate and deeply offensive. I respect his right to freedom of speech, but I also do not believe that our classroom is the proper platform for him to spout his hateful propaganda.”
A second student said “I don’t know what kind of actions can be taken in this situation, but I expect that this student should have to pay some price for preaching hate in the classroom.”
“Regardless of the other students’ reactions to Mr. Lopez’ speech,” Jones wrote in her letter, “Mr. Matteson will still be disciplined. First Amendment rights will not be violated as is evidenced by the fact that even though many of the students were offended by Mr. Lopez’ speech, no action will be taken against any of them for expressing their opinions.”
CNA spoke by phone on Tuesday with David Hacker, litigation staff counsel at the ADF.
He said the ADF is still filing suit because “this is really about protecting Jonathan Lopez’ right to free speech on campus and really the free speech rights of all students at the college. It’s a prime example where Christians simply cannot be targeted for punishment for expressing their views on campus.”
Though the universities are supposed to be the “marketplace of ideas,” Hacker charged “they have really become islands of intolerance.”
He explained many universities and schools, like LACC have hate speech codes which “declare open season on views that don’t fit their leftist orthodoxy.”
Countering Lopez’s fellow students cited by Jones, Hacker said the complaint itself backs up Lopez’s account, especially its lines “ask God what your grade is” and “proselytizing is not allowed in public schools.”
“Here is a classic and blatant form of viewpoint discrimination and, really, retaliation against Mr. Lopez,” Hacker told CNA.
(Story continues below)
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“Mr. Lopez made a sworn statement saying that the professor shut him down midway through the speech and told other students they could leave if they were offended by this. Nobody left, and then the professor dismissed the class.”
He also argued that it is irrelevant what other students might have felt was offensive.