An LSU law school professor has been removed from class for making political comments in class, his lawyer said.
Alena Allen, director of the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at the University of Los Angeles, told students during an online conference Tuesday that Ken Levy, a tenured law professor, will be replaced pending an investigation.
Jill Craft, a Baton Rouge attorney representing Levy, said she plans to fight the disciplinary action.
““We cannot live and exist in a country where people are punished for their opinions, thoughts and words,” Craft said.. “This is especially true in the area of academic freedom. If you take that away, you take away this foundation of our democracy. And we don’t have it anymore.”
LSU spokesman Todd Woodward confirmed that Levy is not currently teaching, but declined to comment further on university personnel matters.
Allen has not yet responded to a request for comment.
One of Levy’s students, Kristen Graham-Winkles, was present at the meeting where Allen told students about the professor’s dismissal. She said the dean cited an “ongoing investigation” into Levy, whose primary areas of expertise are criminal law and constitutional law.
Graham Winkles said Levy is not afraid to share his thoughts on politics, openly criticizing Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, and the professor is well-liked. He added that the students were upset to know he would be punished.
“He kind of facilitates communication…Even people I know voted for Trump, and a lot of them were like, ‘No, no, no.'” We’re this guy. I love you. ”So we want to know who reported it and what they said, because that’s probably not true. ”
The investigation into Levy comes less than three months after Landry. Publicly calls for punishment of LSU law professor Nick Breiner For criticizing President Donald Trump in class the day after he was re-elected. Mr. Breiner still works at the university.
This is a developing story
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