Eugene Volokh is the Thomas M. Siebel Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford, and the Gary T. Schwartz Distinguished Professor of Law Emeritus and Distinguished Research Professor at UCLA School of Law. Naturally, his posts here (like the opinions of the other bloggers) are his own, and not endorsed by any institution. He is also the co-host of the Free Speech Unmuted podcast.
Eugene Volokh
Latest from Eugene Volokh
Teacher Suspended Partly for Quoting (on Personal Facebook Page) Bernie Sanders' "Woman … Fantasizes Being Raped" Essay
"The undersigned finds that despite Mr. Caggiano's belief that his post makes an important point [criticizing] Bernie Sanders, the undersigned finds that it can be logically read to be patently offensive, discriminatory, and degrading to women."
"Trouble Brewing [at Yale] After 'Dehumanizing' Artisanal Coffee Remark"
"The letter condemns Satel for having 'the audacity to challenge Reverend Al Sharpton, an exemplary individual and activist.'"
Zoom Conversation Today (Noon Pacific) with Nadine Strossen, Former ACLU Head
The conversation will be about Prof. Strossen's Journal of Free Speech Law article, "The Interdependence of Racial Justice and Free Speech for Racists," and it will be with Profs. Jane Bambauer, Ash Bhagwat, and me.
Zoom Workshop on Prof. David McGowan's Forthcoming "A Bipartisan Case Against New York Times v. Sullivan"
A discussion with Prof. RonNell Andersen Jones (Utah), two noted media lawyers and clinical teachers (Prof. Dale Cohen, UCLA, and Prof. Gregg Leslie, Arizona State), and me about this forthcoming Journal of Free Speech Law article.
San Diego Schools Need Not Allow Religious Exemptions from Vaccination Mandate
The Ninth Circuit held a week ago that the school district had to give religious exemptions so long as it categorically exempted pregnant students; now that the district has repealed the pregnancy exemption, no religious exemptions are required.
Thursday Open Thread
What's on your mind?
Connecticut "Racial Ridicule" Ban Challenged in Federal Court
The law is unconstitutional as written—but it has also been used by prosecutors far beyond its specific terms.
§ 230 and the Civil Rights Modernization Act
My testimony today before a House Subcommittee on Communications & Technology hearing on proposed revisions to § 230.
§ 230 and the Protecting Americans Against Dangerous Algorithms Act
My testimony today before a House Subcommittee on Communications & Technology hearing on proposed revisions to § 230.
§ 230 and the SAFE TECH Act
My testimony today before a House Subcommittee on Communications & Technology hearing on proposed revisions to § 230.
§ 230 and the Preserving Constitutionally Protected Speech Act
My testimony today before a House Subcommittee on Communications & Technology hearing on proposed revisions to § 230.
§ 230 and the Justice Against Malicious Algorithms Act
My testimony today before a House Subcommittee on Communications & Technology hearing on proposed revisions to § 230.
Plaintiffs Seeking Religious Exemption from Private Employer's Vaccine Mandate Allowed to Proceed Pseudonymously
"Given the charged atmosphere concerning vaccinations and vaccine mandates, and for the other reasons discussed above, the Court is persuaded that this is the rare case where a party should be permitted to proceed pseudonymously."
No Preliminary Injunction for Health Care Workers Seeking Religious Exemption from Vaccine Mandate
The defendant hospital might be violating Title VII by denying the exemption (especially since it "changed its policy in an arguably arbitrary manner")—but the employees' remedy would be to sue for damages from being fired, and not to get a preliminary injunction ordering that they not be fired.
More Police Officers Associated with More Black Homicides Prevented
"[E]ach additional police officer hired abates between 0.06 and 0.1 homicides [per year].... [T]he decline in homicide is twice as large for Black victims in per capita terms."
Journal of Free Speech Law Panel on Regulating Social Media Platforms Tomorrow (Wednesday) at 11 am Pacific
It's with Profs. Jack Balkin (Yale), Daphne Keller (Stanford), and Mark Lemley (Stanford), moderated by Jane Bambauer (Arizona).
When Does Government "Fairly Represent" Public Interest Groups' Views, Thus Barring Them from Intervening?
An important and interesting question, arising here as to Title IX, free speech, and due process, but relevant more generally as well (and now pending before the Supreme Court).
"Someone Going Through Your Underwear Without Permission" May Be "Highly Offensive"
Even when you're not wearing it.
San Diego Schools Must Allow Religious Exemptions from COVID Vaccination So Long as They Allow Exemptions for Pregnant Students
That at least is the temporary injunction pending appeal, just issued Sunday.
Toronto School Board Refused to Promote Event with Nobel-Winning Critic of ISIS
A school board official told said "students would not participate in a book-club event scheduled for February with Nadia Murad, a Nobel Prize-winner and activist," because "Ms. Murad’s book, 'The Last Girl: My Story of Captivity, and My Fight Against the Islamic State,' would foster Islamophobia."
Thursday Open Thread (Friday This Week)
What's on your mind?
Buddha, Christ, and Hercules Walk Into a Bar, in 1938 Wyoming …
An interesting passage on self-defense, which I think represents the majority though not unanimous view.
Is It Defamatory to Falsely Call Someone a Racist, White Supremacist, Socialist, or Communist?
No, because courts conclude that those terms are just opinions and name-calling.
University Official Fired for Discriminating Against Police Chief Who Voted for Trump
The official was the Vice President for Student Affairs and Diversity at the University of North Dakota.
UC Irvine Vice Chancellor Sends an Official Message About the Rittenhouse Trial
Are universities supposed to have institutional views on the facts about self-defense in a case half a continent way?
Prof. Eric Segall (Georgia State) and I on Segall's Supreme Myths Podcast
We talk about blogging, social media and free speech, the Religion Clauses, and federalism and individual rights.
Thursday Open Thread
What's on your mind?
