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Court Backs Professor's First Amendment Rights in Parody Case

12/30/2025

Summary

Story summary

The Ninth Circuit ruled in favor of University of Washington professor Stuart Reges, finding he was unlawfully punished for including a parody land acknowledgment in his syllabus.
The court held the punishment violated Reges' First Amendment rights because student discomfort does not justify retaliation.
Reges challenged the university's Coast Salish tribes acknowledgment, which prompted student complaints and an apology, and KIRO Newsradio discussed its effectiveness.

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Story summary

The Ninth Circuit ruled in favor of University of Washington professor Stuart Reges, finding he was unlawfully punished for including a parody land acknowledgment in his syllabus.
The court held the punishment violated Reges' First Amendment rights because student discomfort does not justify retaliation.
Reges challenged the university's Coast Salish tribes acknowledgment, which prompted student complaints and an apology, and KIRO Newsradio discussed its effectiveness.