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Alabama officials seek to dismiss lawsuit challenging state DEI ban

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alabamareflector.com – Alander Rocha – 2025-03-26 15:01:00

by Alander Rocha, Alabama Reflector
March 26, 2025

Alabama officials have filed motions seeking to dismiss a lawsuit challenging SB 129, a law that limits diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in public universities and the teaching of so-called “divisive concepts.”

The Alabama Attorney General’s office and members of the University of Alabama (UA) Board of Trustees argue that the University of Alabama professors and University of Alabama Birmingham students suing to overturn the law lack standing and that their claims fail to establish any constitutional violations.

The plaintiffs, who also include the Alabama NAACP, allege that SB 129, sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and the First Amendment. Plaintiffs argue that the law discriminates against minority students and faculty by restricting funding for student groups and eliminating campus spaces designed to support minority students.

The attorney general’s office claims plaintiffs “fail to show how each and every provision of the Act harms them,” arguing that plaintiffs “fail to include sufficient allegations to ‘nudge their claim across the line from conceivable to plausible.’”

The Board of Trustees stated in a separate motion that the law does not prevent discussions on race but prohibits faculty from requiring students to adopt specific perspectives.

“As it relates to the classroom, SB 129 states that professors may not ‘direct or compel’ students ‘to personally affirm, adopt, or adhere’ to one of eight ‘divisive concepts’ defined in the statute,” the motion states.

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The law, which took effect last October, bars public universities from funding DEI programs and prevents discussions of concepts lawmakers deem divisive. It includes prohibitions against “compelling” students to believe that any race is inherently superior or that people are responsible for historical injustices committed by others of the same race.

UAB students, UA professors sue Alabama over state law banning DEI programs

Ahead of SB 129’s enforcement, universities across the state shuttered or rebranded DEI offices and closed dedicated campus spaces for its Black Student Union and LGBTQ+ resource center.

Plaintiffs argued that the law’s impact disproportionately affects minority students by restricting funding for student organizations such as the University of Alabama NAACP chapter. Attorneys for the board argued that the plaintiffs’ allegations “do not involve any claim that Black students were treated differently from other students.”

“Plaintiffs instead rely on the precarious assumption that coursework related to diversity benefits Black students ‘in particular,’ because of their race,” the motion further states.

Professor Cassandra Simon, one of the plaintiffs, stated in the lawsuit that she fears discussing racial issues because students have previously expressed feelings of guilt or complicity after watching material on the Civil Rights Movement. Lawyers for the state argue that this does not constitute a First Amendment violation, even if Simon has already faced threats of termination for teaching a class on systemic inequality.

The motion stated that “even construing these allegations as true and viewing them in the light most favorable to Plaintiffs, Professor Simon’s fear is not objectively reasonable,” saying that simply showing material related to the Civil Rights Movement does not “direct or compel” students to accept the concept or “penalize or discriminate” when students aren’t in agreement. 

“Professor Simon does not have standing to challenge any provision of the Act based on such conduct. The same is true of the other Professors’ allegations regarding their subjective fears that teaching ‘about’ topics could violate the Act,” the motion states.

The defense also pushed back against claims that SB 129 is too vague, arguing that the law is clearly defined.

“Though Plaintiffs may not like its terms, the act is readily understood,” the motion states.

Plaintiffs have until April 18 to respond to the state’s motion.

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Alabama Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alabama Reflector maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Brian Lyman for questions: info@alabamareflector.com.

The post Alabama officials seek to dismiss lawsuit challenging state DEI ban appeared first on alabamareflector.com

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University of Alabama student detained by ICE moved to Louisiana

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2 days ago

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March 28, 2025

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alabamareflector.com – Alander Rocha – 2025-03-28 14:58:00

by Alander Rocha, Alabama Reflector
March 28, 2025

Federal immigration officials have moved an an University of Alabama graduate student to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Jena, Louisiana.

An attorney for Alireza Doroudi confirmed Friday afternoon after the ICE detainee locator listed where he was detained. For several days, the detainee locator only stated he was “in ICE custody” but did not list any location. The facility in Jena is holding several international students targeted by federal authorities.

David Rozas, Doroudi’s attorney, disputed claims by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that his client posed a national security concern.

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Doroudi, an Iranian national pursuing a PhD in mechanical engineering, was taken into custody by ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) unit on Tuesday around 3 a.m., Rozas said in a statement sent on Friday. Immigration authorities cited the U.S. State Department’s revocation of Doroudi’s student visa as the reason for his arrest.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said Doroudi “posed significant national security concerns.” The spokesperson declined to provide further details about what the concerns were, saying “That is all we are able to share at this time.”

Rozas challenged that characterization, saying he was unaware “of any allegations concerning significant national security issues.”

“He has not been arrested for any crime, nor has he participated in any anti-government protests,” the statement from Rozas said. “He is legally present in the U.S., pursuing his American dream by working towards his doctorate in mechanical engineering.”

Rozas added that Doroudi’s student visa was still active and that he was in the early stages of applying for permanent residency as a researcher.

Student organizers from the Students for Justice in Palestine, a student organization at UA, said Thursday that Doroudi had no involvement in recent pro-Palestine protests at the university or with the organization.

Doroudi’s fiancé, Sama Ebrahimi Bajgani, started a GoFundMe to help cover his legal expenses, garnering over $21,000 in about a day. She said in a LinkedIn post that Doroudi’s is set to defend his dissertation next academic year and has been “fully engaged” in academic work and research projects in the department.

“His dedication and achievements have earned him recognition in his field and led to his selection to apply for permanent residency,” she wrote in a post.

The University of Alabama has not provided further details about the situation. Spokesperson Alex House did not respond to messages Friday after initially stating that the university was cooperating with immigration authorities. House did not address whether the university was offering Doroudi any assistance.

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Alabama Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alabama Reflector maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Brian Lyman for questions: info@alabamareflector.com.

The post University of Alabama student detained by ICE moved to Louisiana appeared first on alabamareflector.com

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HPD: Crime Rates Down Despite Growing Population | March 28, 2025 | News 19 This Morning

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March 28, 2025

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www.youtube.com – WHNT News 19 – 2025-03-28 09:55:10

SUMMARY: Despite a 20% population growth over the past five years, Huntsville’s crime rate has significantly decreased, according to the Huntsville Police Department (HPD). Major crimes have dropped by 26%, and violent crimes have decreased by 39%. HPD credits strong community engagement and public cooperation for this positive trend. While drug crimes, particularly related to fentanyl and methamphetamine, remain a challenge, new technologies, faster officer response times, and collaboration with other agencies have contributed to the reduction in crime. HPD emphasizes the vital role of the community in improving safety and reducing crime rates.

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GE Vernova celebrates new customer experience center as employees work to meet demands for electrici

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March 27, 2025

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www.youtube.com – WKRG – 2025-03-27 18:42:14

SUMMARY: GE Vernova celebrated the opening of a new customer experience center at its Pensacola Factory, which manufactures key components for onshore wind turbines. The facility, the largest of its kind globally, is critical in meeting growing demands for renewable energy. It is currently producing turbines for a massive wind farm in New Mexico and additional projects in Texas. GE Vernova has invested $70 million since 2023 to expand the facility, aiming to boost electricity production. With over 600 employees, including veterans, the company plans to further grow, potentially reaching 1,000 workers as it continues to support electrification and decarbonization efforts.

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A ribbon cutting ceremony took place Thursday for a new customer experience center at GE Vernova’s Pensacola factory.
FULL STORY: https://trib.al/DAvDwk6

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