- Published: Wednesday, March 02, 2016 05:22 PM
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Napoleon Harris III (D-Harvey) introduced legislation that protects college students’ freedom of speech and would prohibit colleges from revoking athletic and academic scholarships as a result of protesting.
Senate Bill 2279 came about after Republican lawmakers in Missouri filed legislation intended to punish African American football players who demanded the resignation of the head of the university after inaction against racism on campus.
“My athletic scholarship is the reason I was able to get a degree,” said Harris, a former Northwestern University football player. “Putting students in a situation where they have to choose between justice and a scholarship they earned is simply unacceptable.”