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.”

Harris noted that many students on athletic and academic scholarships come from low-income backgrounds and depend on their scholarships as their only means to a college education.

“When I heard about the legislation brought about in Missouri I knew we had to stop any momentum it may have behind it,” Harris said. “Legislators should be focused on protecting students’ constitutional rights.  Institutions of higher learning have and should continue to foster the growth and confidence of their students.”

The legislation now heads to the full Senate for consideration.

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