The X platform owned by free-speech absolutist Elon Musk helped a student win an appeal against the University of Illinois and avoid disciplinary action with the help of X lawyers, a post revealed Wednesday.
After Juan David Campolargo was threatened with losing his on-campus job and student housing for a post he made about free food at a campus event that wasn’t open to the public, X hired the Schaerr Jaffe law firm, at no cost to the student, to submit an appeal to defend his right to free speech.
The university said Mr. Campolargo’s post violated the student code of conduct.
“If you can be punished for posting about free food, what can’t you be punished for?” the Wednesday post said.
The lawyers argued in a letter to the university that Mr. Campolargo was within his First Amendment rights, and if the school didn’t reverse the findings, it would “result in a violation of his rights.”
The post said the university originally fought against the student’s legal representation, telling him he wasn’t allowed a lawyer for disciplinary proceedings. In the end, the student won and is now allowed to post on his X account and can continue with his on-campus job and student housing.
Gene Schaerr, a partner at the law firm, commented on the post that he was “honored to have been able to help X and Mr. Campolargo win this important fight for free speech.”
X added, “We must always stand firm in the face of threats and intimidation to protect our right to free speech — it’s the cornerstone of democracy and a fundamental human right.”
Mr. Musk added heft to his stand on free speech, writing last year on X, “If you were unfairly treated by your employer due to posting or liking something on this platform, we will fund your legal bill. No limit. Please let me know.”
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.
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