Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, a controversial alum of Little Rock Central High, has introduced a provision in the Arkansas ACCESS bill that aims to crack down on student activism. The provision, known as the Kuta provision, would mark students who participate in political protests as unexcusedly absent and would prohibit walkouts for social or public policy advocacy. This provision is targeted specifically at Central High School students known for their activism in recent years.
The bill also extends these restrictions to college students, prohibiting excused absences for protests or attempts to influence legislation at any level of government. College students could also be held liable for property damage during protests and may be ineligible for a degree or transfer credit if they do not pay fines.
The 122-page bill has not yet made it onto the agenda of the Senate or House education committees, but it has sparked controversy and backlash from those concerned about restricting student activism and free speech. Critics argue that the bill infringes on students’ rights to engage in the political process and speak truth to power. The bill is seen as an attempt by Governor Sanders to silence dissent and control student behavior at both the K-12 and college level.
As the bill continues to be debated, supporters of student activism and free speech are closely monitoring its progress and preparing to push back against what they see as an attack on democratic principles.
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