Administrators at the University of California, Los Angeles said they had dropped their investigation into a student’s YouTube video in which she mocked Asian students. President of the Foundaton for Individual Rights In Education, Greg Lukianoff, praised the university’s action but said there were deep concerns about reported threats against the student.
Lukianoff said, “We are pleased that UCLA will not attempt to punish Alexandra Wallace for her constitutionally protected speech. The cure for ‘bad’ speech is ‘better’ speech, and the outpouring of parody and criticism of Wallace’s video demonstrates once again that our nation’s First Amendment tradition of vigorous discourse is the best way to handle speech controversies. However, the fact that Wallace cites fear for her safety among her reasons for leaving UCLA is deeply troubling. Serious threats of physical harm are not protected by the First Amendment, and FIRE urges UCLA and local law enforcement to continue to investigate any credible threats of violence against Alexandra Wallace in the wake of her video.”
From a commentary in FIRE, March 21, 2011.