Story perspectives

Eleventh Circuit Bars Florida’s Stop WOKE Law, Citing Free Speech

7/30/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Eleventh Circuit blocked Florida’s Stop WOKE Act of 2022, finding it violates professors’ First Amendment rights.
The court rejected the claim that university teaching is government speech, upholding academic freedom.
Federal courts in Mississippi and New Hampshire paused similar “divisive concepts” laws as vague.
Governor Ron DeSantis called the ruling an unfortunate example of judicial overreach.
Faculty say the lawsuits foster self-censorship and push some professors to consider leaving.

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Story summary

The Eleventh Circuit blocked Florida’s Stop WOKE Act of 2022, finding it violates professors’ First Amendment rights.
The court rejected the claim that university teaching is government speech, upholding academic freedom.
Federal courts in Mississippi and New Hampshire paused similar “divisive concepts” laws as vague.
Governor Ron DeSantis called the ruling an unfortunate example of judicial overreach.
Faculty say the lawsuits foster self-censorship and push some professors to consider leaving.