“The Contested Expression:” College Republicans File Federal Lawsuit Against Donald Landry
The University of Florida (UF) College Republicans (UFCR) has filed a federal lawsuit against UF Interim President Donald Landry over the disbandment of the campus group, alleging the move violates the First Amendment. UFCR is represented by attorney and Lake County Commissioner Anthony Sabatini.
On Monday, UFCR submitted a request for injunctive relief, seeking monetary relief for damages, a declaration that UF’s decision was unconstitutional, and full reinstatement of the chapter.
“UF sought to justify its unlawful decision by providing a false pretext as a basis,” states the lawsuit, “asserting that it had acted at the behest of a third-party group, the Florida Federation of College Republicans (FFCR), a group with no authority over or affiliation with UFCR.”
The lawsuit states that in 2025, “a member of UFCR expressed a viewpoint off-campus that was alleged by some to be anti-Semitic.”
While not overtly called a Nazi salute in the lawsuit, the gesture is referred to as “the contested expression.”
According to the lawsuit, “The Contested Expression occurred in a context involving matters of public concern, including political speech and current events, and did not constitute a true threat, incitement, or otherwise unprotected speech.”
The lawsuit describes how UF deactivated UFCR on March 13 after getting pushback over “the contested expression.” The decision removed UFCR’s access to "recognition-based benefits, including funding eligibility, facility reservations, communications platforms, and the ability to host on-campus events.”
The lawsuit alleges that UF’s basis for deactivation wasn’t because of “the contested expression” in itself, but because of the pushback the university received over it.
The lawsuit alleges that UF has no basis in policy, rules or law or deactivate UFCR.
“UF has allowed other student organizations to remain recognized notwithstanding controversial or offensive speech by their members, evidencing viewpoint discrimination and selective enforcement,” the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit states that UFCR has been unable to organize on campus and that planned events have been “canceled, curtailed, or chilled” due to the deactivation and “threat of further punitive measures for protected expression.”
The lawsuit alleges that Florida governor candidate James Fishback’s town hall with UFCR on March 11 likely had a role in UF’s decision. The lawsuit accuses UF of deactivating the chapter because Fishback is critical of Israel and the event was attended by over 500 students.
A summons has been issued for Landry.
On Tuesday, Judge Mark Waller told UFCR that they need to file a motion before their request for an injunction will be considered.
