Yes.
There is no law in Florida or any state that prevents a public institution from hosting a speaker facing criminal charges.
According to the Campus Free Expression Act, a person may speak publicly on a college campus as long as their conduct is lawful and does not disrupt scheduled campus proceedings.
While schools and universities are not required to host or invite speakers, withholding campus resources or facilities from speakers invited by student groups risks violating First Amendment free speech rights as outlined in the U.S. Constitution.
The New College of Florida announced it will still host a talk by Russell Brand on “Free Speech, Censorship, and Cultural Power” after the comedian was charged with multiple counts of sexual assault.
An NCF spokesperson affirmed the school’s responsibility to ensure a space where ideas such as cancel culture can be discussed “while the justice system independently addresses other matters.”
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
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Sources
- Freedom Forum Free Speech on College Campuses: The Ultimate Guide
- National Constitution Center First Amendment – Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition | Constitution Center
- Florida Senate Chapter 1004 Section 097 – 2018 Florida Statutes
- WFLA New College doubles down on decision to host Russell Brand after rape charges
- New College of Florida Socratic Stage Dialogue Series (archive)
