Over 1,000 US University Students Sanctioned Over Protests and Online Speech in Five Years

More than a thousand university students across the United States have faced disciplinary action between 2020 and 2024 for participating in protests or expressing opinions on social media, including posts, comments, and public statements. Alarmingly, data from the first four months of 2025 suggests that the number of penalised students this year may double compared to 2024.

The findings were revealed in a recent report by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), as cited by The Guardian.

According to the report, disciplinary actions included the suspension of over 300 students, the expulsion of 72, and the withdrawal of financial aid or university benefits from 55 individuals.

FIRE noted a sharp increase in punitive measures, particularly during politically sensitive periods. Following the 2020 killing of George Floyd, protests against racial injustice led to a surge in student activism. Similarly, the October 2023 Hamas attacks and the ensuing war in Gaza triggered disciplinary action against students for pro-Palestinian speech, with university administrations and political leaders often playing central roles in such crackdowns.

The report warns that universities are increasingly adopting policies that can be used to suppress critical discourse on issues such as race, politics, and the environment. FIRE argues that this trend poses a significant threat to freedom of expression on campus.

Logan Daugherty, Director at FIRE, expressed concern over the growing restrictions, stating, “Campuses should be a haven for free thought and open debate. Unfortunately, we are seeing that these ideals are not always upheld in practice.”

FIRE continues its advocacy to safeguard students’ rights to free expression, aiming to ensure that university spaces remain conducive to open and fearless dialogue.