After buying out stores worth of sidewalk chalk and demonstrating for free speech at the University of Arizona, charges have been dropped against two Arizona University students accused of vandalism.
Earlier this week UA graduate student Jacob Miller was arrested by campus police for writing messages in chalk advertising a campus protest against budget cuts. A few days later undergraduate Evan Lisull was also arrested for chalking messages of support for Miller around campus.
Within hours of the second arrest students organizing in support of Miller, Lisull and free speech on campus had distributed thousands of pieces of chalk wrapped in messages of support to the campus community. Dozens of messages of support appeared on sidewalks and streets across campus and by 3:15 PM the Office of the President had instructed UAPD to stop issuing citations to protestors and dismiss the charges against Lisull and Miller. In a press release President Shelton directed UAPD to stop issuing criminal citations in all future cases involving chalk art. Unfortunately, the President also indicated that both Lisull and Miller could face disciplinary procedures under "Code of Conduct" at the University.
Chalking advertisements for student events and opinions is common practice on many campuses. While a campus can put reasonable restrictions on things like chalking to avoid damage to property (for example, requiring chalking be done in places where it can be easily washed off by rain or hose), imposing criminal sanctions for simply scrawling a message on the sidewalk crosses the line. Further, even if the Universities policy was appropriate, such dire consequences for…chalking…can only serve to intimidate the campus community and chill expression.
That being said, the real lesson from this story is the power free speech activists have when they organize quickly and strategically. Within a matter of days students managed to build campus and community support for their cause, generate significant local media attention and win their most pressing issue. Free speech activists around the country would do well to pay attention to the Wildcats.