Clovis Community College refused to act when leftists repeatedly tore down YAF posters. Administrators interfered with a Ben Shapiro poster display stating that, while YAFers had followed the rules, rules are “subject to change.” The school then denied the activists’ right to put up pro-life posters, initiating a “random” review and relegating YAF to the so-called “free speech zone.” YAF advised Student throughout and obtained key information through records requests.
Date Commenced: March 2022
Status: Lawsuit filed August 11, 2022 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California. In July 2023, YAF scored a major victory in the federal 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which upheld the preliminary injunction against the school; this ruling prevents administrators from enforcing discriminatory flyering policy during the lawsuit. Awaiting Court’s scheduling order and expect additional preliminary motions.
Complaint: Flores v Bennett
News Story: YAF Chapter Sues California College Administrators for Free Speech Violations
Flores v. Bennett is the latest civil rights action emanating from Young America’s Foundation—through the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE)—under the First and Fourteenth Amendments following violations of conservative students’ constitutional rights.
Officers of the Young Americans for Freedom chapter at Clovis Community College (CCC) in Fresno, California, filed a federal lawsuit against CCC President Dr. Lori Bennett and other administrators on Thursday after facing targeted ideological discrimination for distributing flyers promoting Young America’s Foundation’s Freedom Week initiative. Read more
Video: Dr. Phil Talks CENSORSHIP of Conservatives with YAF Member