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Update on the Fight to Defend Prof. Tom Alter

Defend Free Speech and Dr. Tom Alter! Texas State University fired Tom for speaking at a socialist conference in his personal capacity in September.  A judge since ruled that he needed to be reinstated by the University until he is a given a hearing.  That hearing happened yesterday. There's a lot to say, but it boils down to this: they fired him and were ordered to reinstate him because they violated due process. When reinstated, he wasn't allowed to teach.

The result of yesterday's hearing was that they will let Tom know "later this week."

This isn’t just something happening in Texas.  These kind of political attacks are happening all over the country.  We need to all rally around Tom Alter because his fight is our fight! 

The Committee to Defend Tom Alter has been formed, and is making the following demands on Texas State University:

  • Immediately halt all termination proceedings against Dr. Alter
  • Acknowledge that the process violates the First Amendment
  • Reinstate Dr. Alter with full pay and benefits
  • Apologize for attempting to punish protected political speech
  • Commit to defending faculty rights against extremist pressure campaigns

We urge all of our readers to support the Committee.  And please take the following actions:

“What is happening to Tom Alter is unconscionable and a warning to everyone that now is the time to step up and oppose the madness. Tom is an excellent scholar, with an excellent teaching record, and is being punished solely for his commitment to the oppressed, among whom he is now counted. Let us stand with him in disrupting the machinery of oppression.”  --Committee to Defend Tom Alter Advisory Board Member, Steven Salaita, Chair, English and Comparative Literature, American University in Cairo

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