Indiana University rescinds overnight protest ban after trustees meeting
BLOOMINGTON, IN — June 13, 2025 At a Board of Trustees meeting held Thursday, Indiana University voted unanimously to eliminate its controversial “Expressive Activities” policy, which had banned unapproved protests, vigils, and assemblies between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
The move comes after mounting backlash from students, faculty, and the ACLU, which sued the university in May, arguing that the policy infringed on First Amendment rights. A federal judge temporarily blocked enforcement, stating the restrictions likely “burden substantially more speech than necessary”. Critics pointed to incidents such as the shutdown of a pro‑Palestinian encampment and attempts to prohibit overnight vigils, even when peaceful and non‑disruptive.
During the June 12 trustees meeting, board members agreed to repeal the restrictions on overnight expressive activity. The policy reversal was swift and unanimous, signaling a shift following public pressure and legal challenges .
IU now returns to a more open model of campus speech, aligning with its long-standing history as a hub for activism. An ACLU spokesperson applauded the decision, stating, “The First Amendment does not allow … prohibition of all forms of expression during certain hours,” reinforcing the court’s position.
University officials have yet to outline the next steps, including whether a revamped policy will be introduced. Trustees also tackled other agenda items during the meeting, such as presidential compensation and post-tenure review reforms.