In a landmark legal challenge that has sent shockwaves through Alabama’s higher education system, a group of students, professors, and the NAACP have filed a federal lawsuit challenging a controversial state law that restricts diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across public universities.
The lawsuit, filed on January 14, 2025, takes direct aim at Senate Bill 129, signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey in March 2024. The legislation prohibits state funds from supporting DEI programs and places strict limitations on discussions related to race, gender, and social justice in academic settings. At the heart of the legal battle are fundamental questions about academic freedom, free speech, and the right to explore complex social issues in educational environments.
Plaintiffs include students and professors from the University of Alabama and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, who argue that the law violates their First and Fourteenth Amendment rights. Miguel Luna, a junior at UAB and one of the plaintiffs, poignantly highlighted the broader implications, stating, “A lot of people here, especially in my community, don’t finish school. Programs that provide more equitable approaches to college applications are still very important.”
The law has already had significant consequences. Universities across the state have been forced to dismantle or rebrand their DEI offices. Professors have faced threats of termination for teaching courses that explore social justice and systemic inequalities. Cassandra Simon, a University of Alabama social work professor, was threatened with dismissal for a class project that aimed to analyze the potential negative impacts of the new state law.
Legal experts from the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama argue that the legislation is intentionally discriminatory. Antonio L. Ingram II, Senior Counsel at the Legal Defense Fund, described the law as a “censorship of important discussions about race and gender inequalities” that particularly harms Black, LGBTQ+, and other faculty and students of color.
Governor Kay Ivey and supporters of the law contend that it protects campuses from “liberal political movements” and promotes equality. However, opponents view it as part of a broader effort to dismantle initiatives that support underrepresented student populations.
The lawsuit seeks to have the law declared unconstitutional and prevent its enforcement. It draws parallels to a similar case in Florida, where a comparable “Stop WOKE” act was overturned by a federal judge. As the legal battle unfolds, it promises to be a critical test of academic freedom and educational equity in Alabama.