The fallout from Glenn Reynolds’ “run them down” tweet responding to the rioting on a Charlotte expressway continues with the University of Tennessee College of Law now investigating:
College of Law Dean Responds to Professor’s Twitter Post: https://t.co/RXegkeqfMP
— UT College of Law (@UTKLaw) September 22, 2016
Dean Wilson writes (our emphasis):
I am aware of the remarks made last night on Twitter by Professor Glenn Reynolds and of the serious and legitimate concerns expressed by members of the UT Law family and the University of Tennessee community, as well as concerned citizens across the country. Professor Reynolds’ comments do not reflect my views and opinions, nor do they reflect the values of the college and university.
University administrators, college faculty, and I are investigating this matter.
The university is committed to academic freedom, freedom of speech, and diverse viewpoints, all of which are important for an institution of higher education and the free exchange of ideas. My colleagues and I in the university’s leadership support peaceful civil disobedience and all forms of free speech, but we do not support violence or language that encourages violence.
Professor Reynolds has built a significant platform to discuss his viewpoints, but his remarks on Twitter are an irresponsible use of his platform.
The College of Law is committed to ensuring our students learn in a welcoming, open, and inclusive community in which they can successfully pursue their law degrees and become not only responsible lawyers, but also responsible global citizens who are able to competently represent people of all backgrounds.
The chancellor of the university is in full support of the investigation as well:
Chancellor Cheek supports @UTKLaw dean's statement about Professor Glenn Reynolds's social media post. https://t.co/BFfVOA2Y9a
— UT Knoxville (@UTKnoxville) September 22, 2016
Hopefully the dean will take a look at all of the horror stories from people on the highway at the time of the rioting to put Reynolds’ tweet in the proper context. Stories like these:
ICYMI: Protesters in #Charlotte looted a semi truck and set stuff on fire along highway https://t.co/hz3LwUl4EH
— Joel Franco (@OfficialJoelF) September 21, 2016
Just got off the phone with the truck driver. She is still inside her truck as people loot her cargo and burn it. She fears for her life
— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) September 21, 2016
Protesters are burning stuff from the trucks now. This is all happening on I-85 @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/82fdCyfCkX
— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) September 21, 2016
This family was traveling on I-85 when they say #CLT protesters who were throwing rocks at drivers shattered their windshield. @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/Lz3Z3nU7iC
— Mark Barber (@_MarkBarber_) September 21, 2016
https://twitter.com/LilMissRightie/status/778936655734513664
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Related:
BOOM! @instapundit responds to Twitter suspension
Editor’s note: an earlier version of this post had a typo in the headline.
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