While the issue of Brother Micah and Sister Elizabeth is a hot topic around campus and has certainly had its fair share of discussion in the last issue of The Breeze, one important fact was forgotten. While the two preachers have freedom of speech, our First Amendment does not allow them to stand on campus hurling insults and calling names.
Any issuance of a false statement that causes damage to an individual, be it his or her reputation or establishing mental anguish, falls under defamation (slander in this case as it involves oral representation) — illegal in Virginia and most, if not all, of the United States. Due to the brevity of this letter, the definition must be shortened, but the facts remain. Any time Brother Micah or Sister Elizabeth point at a student and call them a “masturbator,” “faggot,” question their sexual tendencies or accuse them of moral turpitude, they are committing an illegal act of slander.
While these lawsuits are lengthy and difficult and I certainly don’t encourage anyone to take on such a suit, the mere fact that this couple is blatantly violating the rights of students as well as making a mockery of our Bill of Rights should be enough to prevent their presence being allowed on campus.
Carrie Brothers
senior art history and history major
